view raw text
REHABILITATION OF CANADIAN RACING Present Situation Affords Opportunity to Eliminate Abuses That Threatened Sport in Dominion. No action whatever has been taken by the federal government with regard to the resumption of racing in Canada this year. Breeders, owners, racing clubs and devotees of the sport have no means of knowing what to expect. The order in council which brought nbout Jho suspension of racing is purely a -war measure. Its purpose has been served. It was intended to be operative for the duration of the war and six months thereafter. Much depends ou what is interpreted as "the duration of the war." It will doubtless be contended In some quarters that the war is not over until the peace terms have definitely been concluded. In other quarters Jt will be argued that the war was over with the signing of the armistice and the cessation of hostilities. Meanwhile the government has given no intimation of Its intentions. On Friday last a deputation headed by Rev. Dr. Shearer asked that the suspension be continued. The deputation got no definite answer from Sir Thomas White and Hon. Arthur Mcighen, by whom It was received. Certainly there have been abuses in connection with, racing. The present situation affords an opportunity to eliminate them. The welfare of breeding and racing has been menaced by selfish, unscrupulous interests which ought to be eradicated with the resumption of the sport. The uncontrolled half-mile courses, which rocognize no racing authority, and cominuiiitieu In which, owing to the multiplicity of race courses and the manner in which some of them are conducted, have brought the sport into disrepute are matters which demand corrective measures. The order in council may result in lasting benefit if advantage is taken of the opportunity which is now offered for the complete rehabilitation of racing la Canada. Toronto Globe.
