view raw text
HARRY LAUDER AND RACING CRITICISM Sir Harry Lauder, the Scotch comedian, on a recent Australian tour, talked too much about what he considered the overabundance of racing in the Colonies. His published criticism drew out the following from the veteran racing writer, Pilot, of the Sydney Referee: "Sir Harry Lauder is the latest to take exception to the amount of racing there is in Australia. Xo doubt we are open to criticism on that score, but it depends upon who are the critics. Sir Harry is not in Australia for Australias financial benefit, and it is somewhat ungracious of him to take us to task for our pleasure-loving faults. If Australians did not have so much money to spend on racing, they might have less to spare for the form of entertainment provided by Sir Harry. We are willing to pay well for amusement of every kind, and Avero it not so it is improbable Sir Harry would have ever visited us. Therefore one cannot help smiling at the fact that a visitor who is benefiting by one of our weaknesses sees fit to lecture us on others. "It may be a little apart from tho actual point, but I wonder if Sir Harry has a fair idea of the extent to which patriotic funds benefited through racing in Australia during the war. Most of the leading clubs in our principal cities donated their profits, and it was the same with many country" clubs. The Australian Jockey Clubs contribution iii the direction noted totaled 35,000. and there is a further expenditure of about 12,500 on a home for incapacitated soldiers and sailors, for which the club will also provide the upkeep. "Xo doubt someone else will touch upon Sir Harrys comments on the subject of over-pubbing, but one cannot help remembering that some of the songs which first brought him into note contained more than a suggestion of the joys to be derived from whisky."
