LICENSING BOOKMAKERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 December 1944, Page 5

LICENSING BOOKMAKERS

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE

COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

WELLINGTON, Dec. 13.

In the House to-day strong expressions of opinion, and particularly with reference to the illegality of betting with bookmakers, were forthcoming from both sides of the House following a report of the A to L Committee on several petitions which have been presented, asking for a review of the sentence on Albertson, the Christchurch bookmaker, who recently was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. The chairman, Mr. Richards (Govt. Rffskill) said the Committee had no recommendation to make concerning Albertson, but it was of the opinion that the anomalies and inconsistencies in the gaming laws and in their administration were such as to call for an immediate and thorough investigation. With that object in view it was recommended that a Royal Commission be set up to inquire into, and report upon, the whole matter. Mr. Algie (Nat. Remuera) said the Committee had been divided as to whether a recommendation should be made to the Government concerning Albertson, but all had concurred that the Government should be asked to undertake an immediate investigation of the gaming law and its administration. Betting was not condemned by current feeling of our community. It would not be right to try to convince the man in the street that it was not legal to make a bet with a bookmaker when he could walk across the street and make a bet with a machine which would-be legal. Our gambling legislation was too full of inconsistencies.

Mr. Fraser said it was supreme optimism to expect that any commission could harmonise all of the conflicting opinions on this matter. There would be strong opinions for and against the licensing of bookmakers. The strongest opponent of the licensing of bookmakers he had known was a bookmaker. The Prime Minister said he would warn members that they could not treat this matter lightly because there were strong opinions against gambling and all its ramifications. He thought that, taken by and large, the’suggestion of a Royal Commission, which ’ would present the problem to the House—but not solve it—was good. Mr. R. McKeen (Govt. Wellington South) expressed disappointment concerning the first section of the Committee’s report. He had never known a more barbarous sentence than that imposed on Albertson. Mr. McKeen said he did not blame the Magistrate, or the Judge concerned. The trouble was that the past Governments had refused to face up to the issue. The fact that one hundred per cent, unanimity could not be expected in the country should not prevent the reform of the gaming law. That law was absolutely at variance with public ..opinion. It would be quite impossible to suppress gambling. Even if the totalisator were abolished, there would still be betting on racehorses. Provided that they are paid their just share of revenue to the State, he thought that bookmakers should be registered. He had been told that if this were done, a revenue of between one million and a-half and two million pounds would become available. “I think it is time the politicians of this country ceased, keeping their heads buried in the sand, and did something to remedy the position,” said Mr. McKeen. “There are three things which politicians have refused to deal courageously with—religion, the licensing question, and the gambling laws.”

Mr. Polson (Nat. Stratford): Are you pointing that out to your own Government?

Mr. McKeen: I wish they would realise it!' I am trying to persuade them!

An Opposition voice: I think that the Prime Minister is convinced now!

Mr. Langstone (Govt. Waimarino) said that it almost seemed as if the police picked out a few here and there to prosecute. There were various forms of gambling going on that were illegal, and he suggested that the whole matter needed careful investigation. A Commission was recommended so that the matter should, be sifted from end to end. Mr. Semple said that, so long as there were New Zealanders, there would be gambling, and any law to prevent gambling would merely drive it underground. The report was adopted.