THE NECESSARY BOOKMAKER.

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 182, 29 April 1922, Page 12

THE NECESSARY BOOKMAKER.

GAMING ACT A FAILURE. (Published by Arrangement.) In a court of British justice both sides of tho caso are heard before an accused person is convicted. let paradoxically. in tho administration of some of our sports, we take the old standard which belongs to pre-Magna Charta days. The Dooknmkot was abolished from the N.Z. Racecourses arbitrarily, without having a chance to defend himself. Now. with the passage of years, people are beginning to see that ho was actually one of the influences which helped to guard 'the privileges ’ of the Racing Clubs and the sporting community, by reason of his jealous regard for the reputation of the game. As a rule he was a jovial, well-re-spected person. He looked upon his avocation as a worthy one. and his conduct was accordingly ethical. (When the Gaming Act camo into operation the best men, to save their reputation, withdrew. Tho public now know all about the system of pernicious secret betting which resulted. Naturally the sportsmen’s petition to Parliament asking for a commission to inquire into the advisability of again legalising the bookmaker, has received big support. If the “Bookie” comes back he will give the public an opportunity of betting with the choice of bookmaker or totalisator. Again Sports of moderate means will fino that they will not have to back their "fancy" beyond what they can afford. Sign tho petition to-day. It is in your own interest. The petition has been freely circulated, and may be signed, almost anywhere. When the petitions are filled up they should be promptly returned to Box 1011, Wellington.