BISHOP AT DOG RACES

Evening Star, Issue 19858, 5 May 1928, Page 10

BISHOP AT DOG RACES

•• A GAMBLING CONCERN " POLICE CALLED TO MEETING. Interruptions were so constant and noisy at a meeting at Church House, Westminster, London, in favour of the prohibition of betting on greyhound racing that police intervention became necessary. The meeting was attended by nearly 900 delegates, representing municipalities and religious and social welfare organisations in various parts of the country. The " Bishop of Lichfield, presiding, said : “ There is ample evidence that the tracks offer opportunities for gambling in its most insidious form, and that many of our young people are being caught in its dangerous snare. If greyhound racing can be carried out without the gambling we have nothing to say against it; Working men are not conspicuous among the investors who make their dividends out of a business which puts temptation in the way of boys and girls.” The Mayor of Westminstei said; “ We share with you the fear that the establishment of greyhound racing is rearing a social menace, and nothing but the complete eradication of greyhound racing as a legal form of amusement will meet the situation.” The Lord Mayor of Manchester moved a resolution which recorded the conference’s grave concern at the establishment in populous districts of greyhound, racing tracks, protesting against company promoters establishing tracks without regard to the wishes of the people in the localities, and called on the Government to take such legislative action as would make betting on greyhound races illegal. When be was speaking of complaints by rent, collectors regarding difficulties' in collecting rents, “ because the family income was diverted to this new evil,” the Lord Mayor was interrupted by people who asked, l ' What about horse racing?” The Lord Mayor: Betting goes on nearly every night on greyhound racing.

A Voice: And betting on horses goes on day and night. BETS WITH DOLE MONEY. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, seconding the resolution, said that if they could help it they were, not going to have greyhound racing tracks within the Cardiff city area. There were constant interruptions from occupants of the gallery while he was speaking. At a time like this, ho said, when every penny was required to meet the necessities of people in distress through unemployment, it was the duty of the Government to prevent money dispersed in relief from going into the pockets of men to whom work was unknown, and who lived very w r ell_ indeed on the weakness and susceptibility of misguided persons. The Bishop of Lichfield allowed a man who had criticised the Lord Mayor of Manchester to speak against the resolution. The man, who gave his name as Mr C. E. L. Phillips, said that the Government should be asked to hold a full and impartial inquiry into greyhound racing. “No one,’’ he declared, “ would welcome such an inquiry more than the supporters of greyhound racing.” The resolution was carried, with only ten votes against it. BISHOP AT WEMBLEY, The Bishop of Woolwich related how ho went to Wembley a few nights ago to watch the dog racing. “ I.was not dressed as iam now,” he said, ‘‘l was in holiday garb, looking much the same as the working men who were there.”

A Voice: Did you have a bo(i on: 1 The Bishop; I was told there were 700 bookmakers there waiting for our money. There were no seats. I. could see the reason for that. You have to go from bookmaker to bookmaker to find out wbeae you can get the best odds. The bookmakers all round were vociferous and busy. Actual racing took_ three minutes, and they were making and settling bets for the rest of the time. No oho who has seen it can say that greyhound racing is not sijnply a gambling concern. You get bored with dog racing after a few hours. Tho clogs themselves are not interested. (Laughter.)

After tho Bishop had spoken a collection was taken, and during this interval pandemonium broke out. When Dr Cyril Norwood, tho iiead master of Harrow, walked on to the platform a woman leapt on to a chair and began to shriek. Other members of the audience tried to shout her down, and then a young man'mounted his chair and began an oration. There were cries from all over the hall of “Sit down; sit down.” Other people then began to shout until the Bishop of Lichfield said “ T should very much regret having to ask the police to restore order.” CAUTION BY A CONSTABLE. Eventually a. uniformed constable entered the hall, went up to an interrupter, and ordered him to sit down after having cautioned the hall. When quietness had been rcstoied Ur Norwood submitted a resolution asking the Government to make illegal the action of bookmakers in betting with persons under tho ago of twentyone. This was carried with four dissentients. Tho conference decided to ask the Government to receive a deputation.