RACE BETTING IN SHOPS

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26723, 6 May 1952, Page 6

RACE BETTING IN SHOPS

Decisions Made By Cabinet PARTITIONING OF PREMISES (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May B. The Cabinet has decided to advise the Totalisator Agency Board that all the board’s agencies should be in premises used exclusively for betting, but that if retail shops must be used they should be partitioned so as to give complete privacy and have a separate entrance. The Government’s views were announced to-night by the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) at the conclusion of a meeting of the Cabinet. "Although the existing provisions relating to off-course betting give the Totalisator Agency Board full power to organise off-course betting as authorised by public plebiscite, and although the use of trading establishments as agencies is not expressly excluded.’’ said Mr Holland, “the Cabinet has decided to inform the Totalisator Agency Board that it is the view of the Government:

“(a) That all agencies of the Totalisator Agency Board be carried on in premises to be used exclusively for betting purposes. "(b) That where entirely separate business premises are not available and it is found necessary to utilise part of premises that have been or are being used as a retail shop, such premises shall be so subdivided and partitioned off as to ensure complete privacy in the betting agency, such agency to have a separate entrance, "(c) That all such premises shall be inspected and approved by the police before they may be opened for business."

Soon after the establishment of betting agencies in suburban retail shops was brought into prominence publicly, the Cabinet set up a sub-committee under the chairmanship of the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr K. J. Holyoake), m the absence of Mr Holland on a tour of the North Island, to confer with Totalisator Agency Board directors.

Several meetings were held, and the sub-committee’s report was brought before a full meeting of the Cabinet to-day, over which the Prime Minister presided. It was Mr Hollands first attendance at a Cabinet meeting since the question was raised. We had a full discussion in the light of what occurred between the sub-committee and the board’s directors, said Mr Holland. “I should like to express the Government’s appreciation of the willing co-operation of the Bo r frd° rS Th 0 / \ he T S ta,isator Agency Board, They have been most willing io co-operate in every way so as to ensure that the best results could be obtained and to see that the public interests are served.”