THE RACING CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 20, 18 July 1911, Page 5

THE RACING CONFERENCE.

COUNTRY CLUBS MOVING. " "PULL THE POLITICAL LEVER." By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright. Wellington, Last Night. The country racing clubs' representatives continued their deliberations this afternoon. Mr. Bruce, president of tl» Thames Club, presided. He reported that a deputation 'had waited on Sir George Clifford, chairman of the Racing Conference, and laid before him the resolutions passed at a meeting on Saturday night asking that the conference should grant the concessions asked for. Sir George Clifford, Bart., agreed that unity was necessary at the present time, and fully realised that the country clubs should have better representation on the conference, but he would not pledge himself to call a special meeting. In summing up, Mr. Bruce said ha looked on the deputation as suoce«f»L. because SiT George Clifford realised that country clubs would not tolerate the present position any longer. Ona hundred and three clubs were giving away thousands of pounds in stakes, and were not to be dictated to by eigkt clubs. He believed Sir George Clifford vierwed the matter very favorably, and would make some move. The ouUoofc was very hopeful. In reply to a member, the chainnaa s>aid Sir George Clifford had told,them straight that the conference would not, receive the deputation, and, that- was the end of it. "If you want somebody to fight," he added', "I am just as good as anybodv. I will fight anybody." In reply to another delegate, the chairman said the countrv clubs would get a hearing when the Wanganui remit dealing with the representation of country clubs was discussed by the conference. If thev were not granted who* they asked for. he suggested the combination of the North and South Islands, a management committee of four or five

persons. Regarding the threat of the Racing Conference, a member said that if the country clubs ignored the conference, that body had the power to disqualify any horse owner or trainer racing at its meetings. The chairman said Parliament would be appealed to, and the conference would regret its action ever after. There wa* nothing the Racing Conference was more frightened of than Parliament. Mr. Buchanan (Waitara) advocated the formation! of a country clubs' conference, and to ask Parliament for a status, and moved accordingly. Mr. F. Fraser supported the motion. Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., urged caution, saying the motion was a direct challenge to the conference He advised waiting to see what the conference decided to do. '

The motion was withdrawn, and in its place, Mr. Buchanan moved: "That the Racing Conference be asked to discuss remit 33 from the Wanganm country clubs in the early part of the conference sittings." The remit was as follows; "That this conference is of opinion that fjhe..3sfew Zealand Racing Conference as at present constituted does not 'give the representation desired by country clubs, and they desire that some steps should be jtaken by the New Zealand Racing Conference to set up a committee to see if it in desirable to establish w Uew Zealand Jockey Club." i f ', ■ The motion was carried, arirr a committee was set up, consisting of Messrs. Bruce, Jennings, Craig. Lvsnar, and Fraser (Vorth Island), and Messrs. gellars, Irvine, Colligan. and Tutton (South Tsland), to meet on Thursday night after the Racing Conference's decision Is made known, and convene a future meeting if necessary. '

The chairman said he would send out the report of the country clubs' meeting to all ehilw and impress upon them the necessity for nulling the political lever in their own interests.