THE TOTALISATOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 129, 1 June 1907, Page 14

THE TOTALISATOR.

Tho opponents of the total is^or are ariatiging for a jjublic meeting in June to organise an agitation, the first object of which will be an attempt to secure the abolition of the totalisator ; however, they will not be permitted to havo a walk-over, for during tho current season a petition has 'been widely circulated and numerous signatures obtained in support of the retention of tho maihine. To one, like myself, familiar with the rival methods of wagering, it is obvious that the totalisator tends to develop, not only the highest standard of racing, but also healthy and straightfoiward sport, and the introduction cf the machine has dono much to bring New Zealand racing' to its present omino'ice. Surely the failure of the recent anti-gair.b!ing measures in Now South Wales and Victoria to minimise the volume of betting proves that people will not refrain from wagering by a legislative " thou shalt not." The effect has been merely to divert tho money that used to be pvt on with the startingprice bookmakers in the towns to their brethren or. the racecourse, and there has not been the slightest reduction in ths amount of wagering. This lesson should not ba lost en the opponents of the totalisator, who should temper good intentions with good intelligence and rlghtsouß^esss wjth wisdom. In tli3 opinion t>£ the> man 'in 'the ct'ree-t", far more permanent good is accomplished in a «(uiet> and unobtrusive manner by such works as Seebohm Rowntroes, than by phi form agitation. Again, the Racing Conference, which is composed of some of our ablest men, may be, credited with sufficient acumen and good judgment to correct any abuse of the Machine through -excessive racing. The following excerpt gives an idea, how the love of wageiing permeates even the highest class of soriety :— "(The late Lord Chief Justice of England, Lord Russell of Killowen, told me a few years back 1 that he had seventeen bets on tho Cesarewitch — and lost them all. I do not know whether anothe/- eminent judge now living, Lord Bn-iripton, betted, but I have seen him t.o earr.3stly watching races ct Newmarket that it certainly lookecf as if bis name figured in some bookmaker's volume That a lato Solicitor-General, Sir Frank Lockwood, ba'ckod horses, I happen to know, because I have moro than once put money on for him. Lord Rosebery is an ex-Prime Minister. Did he let Ladas and Sir Vjsto run loose at Epsom and Doncaster?- Had^his investments nothing fo 'do with" th"c favouritism of Cicero? JEtfs long interview with' Mr. Peach may have been on the subject of European politics. Lord Rothschild and his brother, Mr. Leopold de Rothsefyild, are eminent philanthropists. I think both of them bet. I am sure one of them does — and why shouldn't he ? A recent chaplain of the House of Commons betted habitually. When the Duke of Portland won tha Derby with Ajfshiie, I have the strongest reasons fcr believing that tho money he expended in presents — the owner of a Derby winner has a #reat deal of exalted lipping to do — camo frons. thfc ring.- My acqnai'i lance with the London police magistrates has always htz\ slight, but 1 have known two, and they both betted ; I know one who bets still and with excellent judgment Not long since I used often to meet at Sandown n hardworking aiid most conscientious country clergyman, who had a few sovereigns on at any rate most oi the r.icos during the afternoon. It scarcely seems probably that the persons and personages mentioned — and I could add to the list — will be inclined to learn morality from the faddists,' 1 says " Gareth, of the. London Referee.