WHY SMITH LEFT "HOME."

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 89, 15 April 1922, Page 3

WHY SMITH LEFT "HOME."

A SPORTING MATTER. •Smith left "Home" because lie had heard so much about the attractions of the Dominion —the prospects of working under pleasant conditions with plenty of sport during his hours of ease. He found much that he expected, and also son, things that he did not look tor. He saw Parliament pass a measure calculated to banish the bookmaker, while at the same time gambling is encouraged and legalised in another form. The State gladly takes as much as it can get from the totalisator. while taking up a highly moral attitude in respect to revenue' which it might secure from the bookmaker. Smith knows—what everyone else knows —that the present policy drives gambling "underground." And he knows it would be more sensible and logical to license reputable men a_ bookmakers and allow them to carry on their trade alongside the totalisator —on the racecourse only. Tli is would be a check on the totalisator—the man who wishes to make small bets would be able to do so —and the license fees, etc., that accrue to the State would form a welcome addition to the public coffers.

The Dominion Sportsmen's Association is giving energetic attention to this matter. A petition to the House of Representatives is now freely in circulation, and may be signed almost everywhere. All real sportsmen and broad-minded people generally are invited to append their signatures. Remember, the enemies of personal.freedom are always busy; it behoves you to take a little trouble in supporting the present movement.—Ad.