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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 137, 16 July 1914, Page 6

Sir George Clifford, Que of the pillars of the New Zealand turf, who is also president of the Racing Conference which opened this morning, was as candid as usual in his presidential address to delegates. Sir George makes no secret of his antipathy to those owners who

" accept from the Legislature tlie benefit* of the totalisator, and shatter what is, at any rate, the spirit of the law by trafficking with the bookmakers." The president speaks with authority, and as a breeder and owner who seldom or rarely bets himself. He is in a position to be able to play the game of racing for the sport's sake alone, but there is a large number of professional owners who are not in such a happy position, and who, therefore, find it advantageous to have recourse to ante-post betting. The abolition of the double totalisator gave the bookmaker his opportunity, for the "specking" at the rather starved doubles supplied by the '' woolbrokers ' is for many small punters a fascinating if futile pastime. Sir George Clifford's address to-day contained an interesting definition of gambling. He (and others interested) regard the increase in the machine investments as a tribute to the excellence of the sport and to public confidence in its improved purity. Sir George'» interpretation of a gambler is one who unjustifiably squanders m#ney that he cannot afford to spend in this way. The definition is not altogether new, but it .is backed up by . argument which will appeal to the more tolerant. This will not satisfy those who are totally opposed to gambling in any shape or form. Nevertheless there is a | good deal to be said in its favour. The increase in the investments on the machine is in part due to the general prosperity of the country. There can be no iloubt but that the totalisator encourages that speculative element inherent in one form or another in most people, but there is ample evidence which goes to show that the great majority of punters bet within their means.