SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1918, Page 8

SPORTING.

THE OPUNAKE CLUB. Says the Opunake Times:— The District Committee representing the Kacing Clulbs have wiped the Opunake Racing Club's data (March 17) off the racing fixture —another injustice to Ireland and a selfish aot against the coastal inhabitants. Originally, the decrease in permits was fixed at one-third and an all-round decrease was assessed. Opunake, holding tho minimum reduction, could not apply unless they went down to zero. The present action is one of self-initerest first and true sport nowhere. When the special committee set up by Parliament travelled the Dominion and made a personal investigation, in all cases they allowed the Opunake Club to remain, and it was based on equity and justice and entitled to a racing day. Since the war commenced and a further reduction by one-third was decided on, Opunake was allowed to remain, as it was fair and only reasonable. After such finding's by high anil unbiassed authorities, it is hard to see why the parochial juries should set this finding aside. Now it comes down to the fact that elulhs with influence and self-interest in ideals have pushed Opunako out in the cold. Opunake is the Belgium in the way. The coastal club has no influence in the circle and gets no consideration. Self-sacrifice la talked of a good deal, but the sacrr is to be at the expense of the other ...V On this side of the mountain, Opunake is the only racing club, and surely the coast is entitled to one racing day in the year, whilst for the same area on the other side of the mountain there are eight racing days. Where is the justice? Four racing days are allotted to New Plymouth, two to Stratford, and two to Bawera. Those that were reduced last year did not lose at all. With one day's less racing, they put up record business through the totalisator and increased revenue in all receipts The reduction is a mere bagatelle compared to being wiped off. We ask the general pulblic if it is a sportsmanlike action to deprive the coast of one meeting in the year. The strings have been pulled in the interests of tho biggei; cluibs. The small clufcs, like the small mar, lias got to be sacrificed when selfishness w paramount. How any body of sports can say there is any semblance of equity in their action in keeping the eight rating days on one side of the mountain is hard to see, no matter how they twist the facts. It is not a sportsmanlike action, nor a fair doal. Surely we are entitled to a fair deal. When it cornea to assessment for taxation, such as hospital and charitable aid, licensing, harbor rates, etc., the coast is rated to pay the full quota according to valuation, ,but when it comes to racing the coast is coldly shouldered by selfish interests right out- The Opunake Racing Cliib should appeal to the higher pacing authorities for fair play. Eight racing days distributed all to one side 01 the province is one-flded and cas-eyer; ! justice.