THE GAMBLING EVIL.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 131, 3 June 1919, Page 8

THE GAMBLING EVIL.

'To the Editor.; Sir, —The telegram in Tast night's "Star" , from Ohristchurch re '"racing evils" is opportune and instructive, and the Press Association agent in Christehurch and the Auckland newspapers are j serving the best interests of this community by publishing this interesting telegram. I wish, however, to call special attention to the words of Mr. J. S. Barrett, spoken at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club. He said: "The racing , people needed to put theil ■house in order, or possibly the onthus; aste who had tried to deal with anothei alleged evil might turn their attention to racing." Mr. Barrett's speecii, of whicl; I quote but a portion, indicates that th( moral sense of the jockey ohibs is be ginning to be stirred, and the result must be beneficial, not only to the rae ing fraternity, but to the whole D> minion. But the stirring line not gout deep enough; it is a mere ripple on the surface. Mr. Barrett speaks of '"illicit betting," and I would like to know what illicit betting is. Docs he mean betting which brings the clubs no seven mid ahalf per cent-, and the Government no five per cent of the money that goes through the totalisatorV The righteous indignation wirh which the jockey clubs regard the actions of the promiscuous betters outside the course is pure hypo crisy. From the moral standpoint, tin position of the totalisator better, the bookmaker, and the Chinese pak-a-poo player is identical. They all want to get the "other fellow's" money without earning it. It would seem that the totalisator people pat themselves on tin I back and look over the fenre at the mar ] who bets without paying twelve anil a I half per cent, to the Government anc

the "machine" with a grieved and pioui look, and supplements his look by send ing for a policeman. As a matter of fact the jockey clubs, the Government, tin illicit 'betters, and even the promoter) of art unions and sweeps for patriotic purposes have gone into partnership t< demoralise our nation, and the writer enters his protest against the whole com bination. To say that the Aueklanc people will not help our eoldier boy; without an appeal to the gambling ele nient in us is a olander upon our conn try —a country that has denied, itsel and given most generously to al patriotic schemes. Our Govornmen takes the two and a-half per cent, (o live per cent.) tax on the totalizator pro rcede with one hand, and with the othe £2U lines from the illicit gamblers. Yes Mr. Kditor, Mr. Barrett is right; tut jockey clubs should put their houses ii order, but not the jockey clubs only, bu the whole nation, which haa become con taminated by gambling.— I am, etc.,' SIGMA.