THE GAMBLING EVIL.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 115, 16 May 1924, Page 7

THE GAMBLING EVIL.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Monday's "Star" contained a letter on the above from a correspondent who signed himself "Still More Whoa," in which the Government is taken to task for failing to suppress the bookmaker, and, indeed, for countenancing the totalise tor. Ido not know whether "Still More Whoa" ie a partisan on the subject, or whether he has personallysuffered from the existing state of things, but I do think that he rigidly ignores one very powerful factor in the question, viz., human nature. Personally, I do not attend race meetings, nor have I had a bet with a bookmaker in my life, so I can scarcely be held to be biased in my opinion, but it seems to Ime that the gambling or betting instinct is inherent in the majority, and that no legislation will ever totally suppress it. One sees this instinct in every walk of life—it is more or less a question of "Casting thy bread upon the waters, etc.," —with the invariable hope of making a profit. The successful merchant will buy largely of any commodity that seems to him likely to advance in price—the man in the street will jump at the chance of securing something cheap in real estate, and all will greedily snap up lottery tickets, art union chances, and such like—one and all with the main hope of "making a rise"! Has "Still More Whoa" ever considered the purchase of property with the thought that it might' later "stiffen" in value? I wonder. After all, something must be allowed for the tastes and desires of human nature. It is not well to try and make life a "drab" affair to the majority by denying them their chief pleasures, but the whole thing must be regulated, and placed on the best possible foundation. Things done surreptitiously, such as betting, drinking, etc., always produce a maximum of harm. It would, in my opinion, be far better if bookmakers were licensed, and thus, under some sort of regulated control. Secret betting, like secret liquor selling, is more likely to lead to many evils' that could possibly be minimised were it done openly, and under a license. There are people who will maintain that smoking is a most baneful habit. May be; but while the majority elect to regard it as a pleasure, and a solace, would it not be rather arbitrary for "non-smokers" to do their best to totally eradicate the habit? To my mind the same argument applies to wagering.—l am, etc., F. BEALE.