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CANADIAN SITUATION Provincial Cabinet of Quebec to Consider Betting Taxation Racing at Montreal May Be Con ¬ fined to HalfMile Tracks Doubtful at Fort Erie MONTREAL Que March 5 Intimation was received today from semiofficial circles to the effect that one of the issues which the Provincial Cabinet will deal with on the return of Premier Taschereau from Florida is the question of the percentage of money bet on the parimutuel machines at the race tracks tracksAn An amendment to the license law last ses ¬ sion made substantial reductions in favor of the tracks in regard to the daily license fee and the charity tax on tickets of admission but at the same time increased the rake off from 10 to 12 1 per cent centOne One of the objections of the race tracks as made to the Government is that a tax ot 12 per cent on wagers would have the effect of turning still larger sums to the handbook men of whom there are a number in Mon ¬ treal and consequently the Government would lose even the 10 per cent it has been receiving receivingIn In the meantime there is much anxiety on the part of local devotees of racing as to what may be the outcome if the Montreal racing organizations receive no government relief in the matter of reduced taxes It seems certain at this date that unless they do the sport will be curtailed hereabouts hereaboutsOf Of the seven tracks located in the vicinity of this city Blue Bonnets Dorval and King Edward are unlikely to open This leaves only four halfmile courses in the field A meeting of the stockholders of the Blue Bonnets course was held last Thursday and the opinion was expressed by a majority that it would be impossible to open the track this spring in view of the 121 per cent tax on parimutuel receipts receiptsDORVAL DORVAL MEETING UNLIKELY UNLIKELYNo No definite announcement has been made by the Dorval management President Fred Richards is ill but Raymond Beaudry tho secretary declared that the trade could not possibly under existing laws hold a meeting that would pay expenses He expressed the opinion that the opening of the track this year was extremely unlikely unlikelyTlie Tlie tracks operated by the Quebec Breed ¬ ers and Racing Association all of which are halfmile courses will operate this year as usual with the exception of King Edward Park according to secretary Leo Dandu rand King Edward lost heavily in 1922 and will not attempt to open this year yearFrom From other parts of Canada racing condi ¬ tions are none too bright It is said that the Niagara Jockey Club which operates the Fort Erie track across from Buffalo is se ¬ riously considering abandonment of its usual meetings meetingsPresident President Sam McBride of the Kenilworth track AVindsor Ont states that no attempt will be made to open that course this year unless the tax is reduced The Windsor Jockey Club it is said is also considering abandonment of its meetings
