THE GAMING LAW.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 166, 15 July 1910, Page 6

THE GAMING LAW.

GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSAL. MEMBERS' APPROVAL. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Exporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Much interest centres in the proposal of the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward to move the fohowing resolutions: —"(1) That in the opinion of this House the provisions of the Gaming Act, 1908, relating to _ the licensing of bookmakers should be repealed; (2) that in the opinion of this House the use of the totalisator should be prohibited by law; and (3) that in the opinion of this House ■provision should be made by law for the reduction of the annual number of days' racing, and also of the totalisator permits issued throughout the Dominion by one half." Members generally erpress themselves pleased at being' thus early given the opportunity of definitely settling this question. Mr. Vernon 'Reed, on being interviewed, stated that he was pleased 'the resolutions had been brought down so promptly by the Prime Minister. In moving the adjournment of the debate on Mr. Newman's bill, he said he had done so so that Parliament could consider both questions—the aboUtion of bookmakers and totalisator side by side. That opportunity was to be given at once, and general satisfaction was expressed at the Government's promptitude in the matter. He estimated that the first resolution, abolishing the bookmakers, would be carried by an overwhelming majority. He did not anticipate half a dozen votes would be cast against it. Resolution two, abolishing the totaUsator, he thought, would bring about a close division, as a number of members deemed it advisable to retain the totalisator temporarily as a kind of safety valve for the gambling public. As he is voting for the abolition of the bookmaker, he will also vote for the abolition of the totahsator. Mr. C. H. Poole, in commending the scheme, said it was very satisfactory ■ to know that the House would now have ' a fair chance to show where it stood on tills very important question. "I am," said Mr. Poole, "against the tote and the bookmaker, and consider that they are both bad and harmful. Many people bet with the tote because it has the Government stamp on i(, but betting has the same result the world over, no matter- what methods are adopted. The bookmaker on the racecourse -was a particularly bad experiment, and now ■that it has been discovered to be a faUure under law, the next step must be to outlaw the gaming machine. The third issue will give some members an intermediate course, but from what I can see and hope, the aroused, wounded and' indignant public feefing of this country will have a very strong influence on the votes to be taken. In my opinion, every public man should set his face against any national habit that is a constant menace to the decency and success of our people, and this is the reason why I take up my present position." "The question is," said Mr F. M. B. Fisher, "Should the people have the legal right to gamble?" The stolen five shilliugs paid over to the bookmaker is not more dirty than the stolen sovereign put on the totalisator. Who can distigiiisli tho moral difference between bridge played for high stakes in a private house and fan-tan played in a Chinese den. If the existence of the bookmaker leads to men committing theft then every person who favours the abolition of the bookmaker on that ground should be in favour of prohibition, for the abuse of liquor creates more criminals than the bookmaker. I should like to sec both the totalisator and the bookmaker dealt with similarly. They arc to my mind on an equal footing from a moral point of view, but the totalisator has increased and made gambling respectable, and is therefore the more popular form of betting. If we arc not to have both, then we should blot both out. Mr Geo. Laurenson said he was immensely pleased with the proposals the Prime Minister was submitting to the House. "When the bill of 1907 was before Parliament," said the member for Lyttelton, "I gave my vote in favour of the Ucensing of the bookmaker in the hope of seeing that individual abolished from the streets and compeUed to ply his calling on the racecourse only. It was then thought that this provision would have the effect of reducing the amount of 'betting. Experience had proved, however, that it had not had that effect. If a resolution is now proposed for the repeal of the law bcensing bookmakers, I will be pleased lo vote for it, and it will afford mc equal pleasure to vote for the abolition of the totalisator. If giur/Ming" by man is harmful, gambling b.r machine is equally harmful. If one should go so should the other, and I will jjive my vote in that direction. I also hope to see the number of days of racing reduced, and the resolutions proposed by the Prime Minister will, I trust, receive the hearty support ' o,t Parliament." MR. MASSEVS VIEWS. (By Telegraph.—Pailiamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Massey's opinion of Sir Joseph Ward's gaming law proposals is that the motions are evidently brought forward with the object of ascertaining the feeling of members as a guide to the Government in framing legislation later on. "If the Government have any definite view on the subject," said Mr." Massey, " they should bring down this bill at once, and let Parliament deal with it. I am quite satisfied that the very large majority of members are against the compulsory licensing of bookmakers. I believe the large majority of members would also be against the totalisator, only they know perfectly weU that to aboHsh the tote is to play right into the hands of the bookmaker. There you have the difficulty. Abolish the totalisa. tor, and legally or illegaUy the bookmaker will flourish. People who desire sincerely to minimise the gambling evil need be careful not to be led into a trap as was the case in 1906. There is undoubtedly too much racing. I believe the House will agree to reduce the number of racing clays throughout the year. I do not think the majority will go as far as the motion indicates. It is very amusing to see Ministers now proposing to reduce the number of racing days, when one remembers that on the occasion of the last Gaming Bill they voted solidly to maintain the present position."