TAXING ISSUE: BETTMAN TO MEET WITH CANADIAN GOV'T FOR RELIEF

          NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman will join reps from the
     Canadiens, Flames, Maple Leafs and Senators on Thursday to
     meet with the Liberal economic caucus in Ottawa to "lobby
     politicians for tax breaks," according to Alan Adams of the
     NATIONAL POST.  The Liberals "initiated the meeting," and
     sources say that they "may ask" Bettman for a guarantee that
     no Canadian franchise will relocate in the next five years. 
     Adams: "If Bettman says what the committee wants to hear, he
     could have a strong ally in finding some sort of tax
     relief."  The potential financial support could come in the
     form of a "three-prong attack," which would include federal,
     provincial and municipal aid (NATIONAL POST, 3/23).