GAMBLING IN AUSTRALIA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3146, 4 December 1922, Page 8

GAMBLING IN AUSTRALIA.

The death at Manila of Admiral Dmuareisq, who hauled down 1m flag 3s Commander of the Royal Australian Navy on April 21 last, and became 1 ill on the homeward voyage, has focussed attention on the farewell message he then delivered to the Australian people isays the Newcastle Weekly Chronicle). Me said: —“Australians do not seem to realise the importance of maintaining the minimum naval force winch wilt preserve the soul of anything that can be called a fleet or a navy, and 1 it must he preserved in had times as well as in good. In England I shall be unable to explain why the Australians do not pay the same amount per head for Empire naval defence as do tho inhabitants < I Groat Britain.” He directed attention to the enormous sums .spent annually on racing and other sports, “sums amounting to many times the cost of a tactfully efficient Australian fleet.” In confirmation of this comparison, Dr Arthur. ALL.A., of N.S.W.-, points out that: “|ii spite of financial 1 depression and unprecedented unemployment, though all productive industry languished throughout the financial year just closed—the returns from racecourse tickets, totalizator, and bookmakers’ tickets have all’ increased.” Mere are some eye-opening figures of racing and lottery events in Queen land during last year. In the Brisbane racing area 222 licensed race meetings wore held and 432 art unions (lotteries) , 7(39 raffles and 77 combined lotteries and raffles l ! Queensland is probably tho worst State for lotteries, and New South Wales for race meetings, there being over GOO per year. The lottery figures for Queensland exeludb the fortnightly Golden Casket draws of £25,000 each.”