INCREASE OF TOTALISATOR PERMITS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17221, 11 August 1921, Page 6

INCREASE OF TOTALISATOR PERMITS.

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY'S PROTEST. (SPECIAL TO "THE TBISSS.") AUCKLAND, August 10. The eactension of totalisator permits, as recommended by the Racing Commission, was strongly condemned by the Auckland Presbytery last evening. The subject was introduced by the Rev. D. D. Scott, who proposed the following motion: "That the/ Presbytery views the recommendation.of the Racing Commission for an extension of totalisator* permits with the gravest disapproval. It docs so mainly because tine totalisator is made to serve a purpose that is demonstrably in antagonism to the Christian ethis of justice and benevolence. The character of gambling is not e-evated by the magic of a Government license. No advocate ot tne totalisator has so far candidiy faced the issue against which the Chuidh. launshes her attack. Various attempts are made to obviate the necessity of pubhc.y defending the evil principle involved in the addition. The alleged call for an increase of permits, and outcry against the elimination of some already in existence, go to show that the chief interest on the racecourse is not the sport of horse-racing, but the vice of gambling. At a time when so much attention is being given to the education of the youth of New Zealand, it is deplorable that anv party shouid plead for the extension'of a principle and practice that are so detrimental to the growth of chivalry and honour." In moving the motion, Mr Scott said the evil principle which was identified with the bookmaker was to be found connected with the totalisator. There was no ethical difference. It was no use people who advocated the totalisator saying #iat those who opposed it were narrow-minded and opposed to field sports. The Churdh had nothing against sports such as football, cricket, and hockey, and its ministers had never discouraged them in any way,.nor had the Church anything against ihorse-racing' as such, but as a means of encouraging tihe spirit of gambling. The motion was seconded by the ReT. C. Porter, who urged that the Church should fight with all her strength against any encouragement of gambling. Several otlher speakers expressed the opinion that the Church should oppose any increase in racing, and that the time had arrived when gambling on the racocourse should be crushed. The proposed extensions were detrimental from an economic as well as a spiritual standpoint. Tihe motion was carried.