BOOKMAKERS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 18, 2 November 1935, Page 6

BOOKMAKERS

Sir, —As a resident of many years standing in Ashburton, I heartily agree with Lux’s letter of the Ist inst-. There is many a poor beggar forced through circumstances beyond his control (namely poverty), to try and find food for his children. In these times he cannot find work; lie then restarts to selling liquor illegally. Do the police or public ever see them with flash houses, motor cars, etc, ? yet the police centre their activities on the poor unfortunates. Now take the liquor problem in this town. Supposing the police closed every illicit seller of liquor in this town, what would happen? Agencies would spring up everywhere, and people would still be able to obtain their liquor. The same does not apply to illegal betting, as if the police closed all the illegal betting places a person would not go to say, Auckland, to place a five shilling bet. It is safe to say that where the illicit seller oi liquor makes os, the illegal “bookie” makes £5. Whereas the seller of the liquor runs a risk of having to pay a heavy license, the “bookie” runs no risk. Why this distinction? Fervently supporting Lux’s letter, I would suggest the police give the “bookies a. turn. If there is not enough police in this town for the job I would suggest they import a few.

AUNTY BETS