RACING IN WAR TIME.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1917, Page 8

RACING IN WAR TIME.

CONSIDERED BY TROTTING EXfr CUTIVE. v "| Christchurch, April 10. At a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Trotting Conference tonight, there was a discussion in regard to the possible curtailment of the sport (luring the war period. Mr. John Kowe said lie felt rather disappointed with the action of several clubs. They wore all anxious to do what they could to assist to win the war, and he felt certain that there Was not a man in New Zealand connected with 'racing who wmihl not be prepared to clean racing right out if it would help to win the war by even one day. Clubs had been expressing their individual opinions, and he thought it would have been much better if the Racing and Trotting Conferences could have held a combined meeting in Wellington, discussed the question fully, and then submitted to the Government a •scheme on which they would have been unanimous, and which would have given the Government something tangible to work on. As they were aware, the president of the Racing Conference had issued circulars, which had been published, and clubs had been asked a series of questions in regard to the continuance of racing under the present conditions. The replies to these questions would in many cases be matters of personal opinion. Some clubs had expressed themselves as anxious to carry on, while others favored reduction, and it would have been much bettor if arrangements could have been made for their views to be expressed through the conferences. The season was now well advanced, and, in any case, both racing and trotting conferences would be meeting in July. The discontinuance of racing would affect some clubs very seriously. He knew some clubs that hnd given every shilling of their profits to patriotic funds, and in the event of the curtailment of the sport interest on borrowed money would have to be paid oi guaranteed by the stewards and committees personally. It would not be wise for them to act until they ascertained what the racing authorities proposed to do, and ho had arranged for an interview with Sir G, Clifford, president of thojtocing Conference, at I). 30 the following morning. M. W. J. Gore said that the discontinuance of the sport would have a very serious effect on clubs which had hori rowed money for the purchase of property and the carrying out of improvements.

Mr. D. H. Roberts Raid lie understool arrangements were being made for a meeting of Hie Racing Conference, to he- held in Wellington during' the present month, and on his suggestion it was agreed that the Trotting Conference should adjourn its consideration until the following morning, in order to enable members of the executive to discuss the matter with Sir' George Clifford.