TOTALISATOR, BOOKMAKER OR — ?

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 15, 18 July 1910, Page 8

TOTALISATOR, BOOKMAKER OR — ?

m REPLY TO CORRESPONDENTS. (By Sir Bedivere.)

In an article that appeared -under the above heading on Friday last an attempt v^is made to point out to such of our anti-gambling friends as may not have had tho time or inclination to make a forecast themselves, some of the effects that would be resultant upon the abolition of the totalisator and the bookmaker. Attention was also directed to . the apparent revulsion of feeling that has recently taken place in regard to this question. Expression of personal opinions was carefully avoided and argument was not used in support of either one system of wagering or the other. The article purported merely to place the case openly and dispassionately before the public, so that they might be the better able to arrive at a sound judgment and be more truly alive as to the position that is to be expected if they, through their representatives in Parliament, decide in a certain direction. It was commented upon in two lengthy letters which were published on the following day, and the authors of which display such a lamentable want of knowledge of their subject that it is at least questionable whether they warrant any attention whatever. Certain points therein raised, however, might perhaps falsely tickle the palate of some section of the public, and it may, therefore, be "expedient" to touch upon them. RACING FOR SPORT. "Searchlight" asserts that the totalisator "regulates the odds," and that "people now race pure and simple to make money." The totalisator takes no hand in the regulation of the odds whatsoever — they are automatically ad justed by the public themselves — and as to men racing purely for monetary gain, it need only be remarked that scarcely an owner of horses has yet been discovered in this or any other country who, having had' representatives on tho turf for a number of years, has found the pursuance of his sport a profitable enterprise. That all desire to win is but to be admitted, for, as with football and cricket players, it is precisely this desire that keeps the thing alive. But owners of thoroughbreds are not nearly so feeble-minded as "Searchflight" would have us believe. With possibly a few exceptions, in the shape of quite inexperienced men, they are well aware that their favourite pastime is an expensive luxury. They are, how- ■ ever, intensely fond of it, and when an occasional success comes to them, 'the pleasure so gained fully recompenses for past pecuniary losses. INDUCEMENTS TO BET.' In objecting to my assertion that the totalisator holds out in itself no inducement to anyone to garfble, "Lancelot" exhibits signs of mental confusion. The only inducement offered to invest money upon the result of a race per medium of tho totalisator lies in the thought of possible gain, and such pleasure as may be derived from the reflection of hay ing successfully supported one's op in ion. It is the same with regard to J speculation in land. The land itself does not create the desire to invest in it, but having inspected it, the belief that its value will appreciate may tempt a man to purchase. The point, however, may be thought a fine one, and rather than discuss it further it will- perhaps be more profitable to deal with yroader issues. Presumably "Lancelot" agrees, a* indeed he must do, that, to"- quote from my original article, "the totalisator restricts wagering (except in a few instances of men of means and position, who are not in the least likely to outrun the constable) to a cash basis, offers no bribes to 'pull' horses, and has never failed to meet its obligations," for he has not combated these statements. If, then, betting is to be controlled at all and to remain lawful — for this is the great question to be decided — the facts enumerated are surely something in the totalisator's favour. But supporters of it might further contend that it is not open for business except on actual race days, and is then only to bo found on racecourses; that prjuted betting quotations are not sent forth on its account into the houses of the people; that it floes not waylay anyone in the street or openly canvass prospective clients, and, finally, that it does not shelter under its win;; a host of undesirable persons. MEANS OF RESTRICTION. On the other hand it provides the Government with the best means yet devised of limiting the racing fixtures in this Dominion, for on the presumption that bookmaking is no longer to be considered a legitimate calling, it will, so far as the vast majority 01 clubs are concerned, be a case of no toalisator perniit no race meeting. Just here it may be well to remark that the abolition of the bookmaker would coincidently [ abolish innumerable country gathi erings — probably not less than fifty or sixty of them. This is an important point, and one that should be duly weighed when the proposal to reduce the number of totalisator permits by 50 per cent, is being considered. Experienced racing men are fully alive to the fact that there are a certain number of totalisator meetings which might reasonably be dispensed with. Their number, however, may not lie so large as many people seem inclined to think, and perhaps the situation might be fairly met by discountenancing certain clubs and handing on their permits to others tn«w are more fully entitled to them. THE RACECOURSE TEST. , But to return to "Lancelot" and his letter. His assertion that "racehorses and courses do not tend to increase a country's assets, but rather to reduce them, is so obviously untrue that it stands self condemned. The scope of this article will not admit of a dissertation upon the value of the racecourse teit, nor upon the influence of thoroughbreds

so tested in respect to the general run of saddle, harness, and general utility horses other than those of the heavy breeds. But will "Lancelot" ask himself, how comes it that in Christchurch, near which our best trotting meetings are conducted, the cab and light-harness horses are of a better stamp than those to be found in almost any other part of the British Dominions? How came it that the horses sent from this country to; South Africa were more favourably regarded and stood hard campaigning better than those from elsewhere? Can he devise any means other than those employed upon racecourses for determining tho value of certain strains of blood and the undesirableness •of others ? His suggestion that the Government Fhould repeat 'its unfortunate experiment of importing sires is scarcely to be regarded seriously. Presumably he would not wish for the Government to introduce horses to this country of which neither their sires nor their ancestors' merits had . ever been satisfactorily put to tho test; and if this be so he must be one of those who would prefer that his kith and kin in other lands should do all the testing, and that we here should reap the benefit — a truly magnanimous attitude. But perhaps in the same way that he may not be conversant with the methods adopted in the successful breeding of hounds or carrier pigeons, each of which are mated with respect to their ability as proved by public trial, he does not think the racecourse test a necessary one. THE STATE AND GAMBLING. "Lancelot" winds up with some talk of "false expedience," and remarks "it is inconceivable that any fair-minded man should advocate that, the State should encourage gambling in order to obtain revenue." Quite so. But he is entirely beside the point. What is advocated .is that the State should adopt the best and surest means of controlling it. Call any measure designed for this purpose one of "expediency" if you will — as a matter of fact most of the Bills now on the statute-book are open to the same imputation — but for goodness sake Jet us cease moralising and view things on a plane with ordinary and everyday circumstances, rather than from that impossible altitude which certain well-intentioned but impractical people will persistently refuse to recognise is quite beyond human attainment. What after all does gambling on the racecourse amount to? Instead of the- public suffering an annual loss on this account, as certain misinformed people would have us believe, of £2 per head, the toll so taken is approximately is 2^d per head of the adult population, or a trifle more than Id per week. Call the sum betted with bookmakers equally largf and make it 2-^d per week ! Consider then how this compares with the- money spent in connection with obtaining recreation in other forms : — On theatrical entertainments, picturo shows, dances, football *nd cricket matches, athletic sports, boating, etc., etc. The figures would admittedly be difficult to arrive at, but it is safe to say that the expenditure under the head that so much exception is being token to is small by comparison. !Bhe position, though not perhaps entirely satisfactory, may thus in all fairness be said to be far less alarming than many good people seem wont to believe. In other words, the populace of New Zealand, when critically examined, does not appear to be half so' black as it is j»ainted. It is a consoling reflection, and there is evidently some hope for us yet. The fact is, differently constituted individuals have different methods of obtaining enjoyment, and whilst some ilelight in spending a sovereign in taking their wife and family to sit in a foetid atmosphere for the purpose of witnessing a story of intrigue, unfaithfulness, and murder portrayed on the stage, others find pleasure, quite apart from any greedlor gain be it understood, in backing their fancy when the silks and satins are uiifurled in the glorious ' light of day. They like to see their judgment verified, they enjoy the fresh air, the sight of the gaily populated, green lawns, the meeting of friends from, distant parts, and the mild excitement of it all. Who then is to deny them this? Who is to say that their methods are not as warrantable as those of others? We cannot all think just alike, ; thero must be a little "give" as well as "take." GREYTOWN WORKING MEN'S CLUB. ♦ [BY TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] GREYTOWN, This Day. The yearly meeting of tho Working Men's Club was held in the club-room on Saturday night, Mr. C. J. Beard, president, in the chair. Over sixty members were present. The report and bal-ance-sheet were very satisfactory, and were adopted without discussion. The following officers were elected : — President, Mr. W. Thompson ; vice-presi-dent, Mr. H. Humphries; auditors, Messrs. S. Kent- Johnston and H. Kidson; committee. Messrs. T. Fisher, W Feast, C. W. Henry, Walter Maxton, C. Miller, H. Olifent, H. Udy, and C. S. Williams. Votes pf thanks were, passed to the retiring officers, who briefly replied. A bonus of £20 to the steward and his wife, and an increase in salary of £30 were voted.