THE BOOKMAKERS AND THE TOTE.

Grey River Argus, 22 July 1910, Page 6

THE BOOKMAKERS AND THE TOTE.

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. FOR- AND AGAINST. THE PREMIER'S RESOLUTION. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 21. The House met at 2.30. Sir J. G. Waid moved "that in the opinion of this House the provisions in the Gaming Act 1908, relating to the licensing of bookmakers should be repealed. The bill of 1909 was the outcome of public feeling in regard to bookmakers, and abuses in connection with the operations. The whole object of licensing bookmakers was to confine their operations to the racecourse. Some clubs had done their best to make the clause unpopular, and cast odium on those responsible for it, A number of clubs refused to license bookmakers, with the result that legal opinions were taken and the clubs compelled to carry out the law. Some clubs licensed bookmakers indiscriminately, in some instances for political purposes. The result was as he (Sir J. G. Ward) had predicted that the num. •ber of bookmakers had been taken exception to and to some of those licensed to carry on betting operations. On the racecourse the bookmakers had increased by 75 per cent as a result of indiscriminate licensing. Some clubs with the object of thwamting the will of the legislature, had gone in for wholesale licensing. It was beyond doubt that all classes jpf the cotnpxunity realised that gamb ling had increased to an extent as to;, ijjast^ 'Parliament in dealing drastically with it. He gave details showing that there had been a considerable increase in race meetings, which for the past year had averaged about one a day. It was desirable in the best interests of the country that the resolution be carried. TOTALISATOR SUPPORTED. Mr Massey said he did not believe there was any instance of clubs be- . ing inspired by political motives. He did not blame the clubs for what had taken place. Why had not the Government brought down a Bill instead of resolutions? Cabinet had no opinions of its own, and if it had had not the courage of its opinions. The Bill would be based on the opinion of the House. Had he not been indisposed when the clause was passed giving legal status to bookmakers he ventured to say it might Jiot have been carried. A great majority of the House were open to admit a very serious mistake had been made in legalising the bookmaker. Members had fallen into a trap cunningly prepared for them. Mr Massey, proceeding, said the totalisator was free from many oi the evils of the licensed bookmaker. He trusted that those who had been led into the trap in 1908 would now realise their mistake. TiHE BOOKMAKERS' ARGUMENT. Sir J. G. Ward read a communication from several leading bookmakers combating the arguments used in favour of the repeal of the bookmakers clause, and denying that the clause had increased betting. Some clubs had granted licenses to notorious Welshers, thus bringing reputable bookmakers into bad odour. GAMBLING TO BE WIPED OUT. Mr Stallworthy defended his action in voting for the bill of 1907. He said Justice Chapman had not only condemned the bookmakers but the totalisator ; also that the gambling evil ought to be wiped out entirely in all its forms. "EVERY MAN A GAMBLER." Hon Mr Millar said he would support the bookmaker on this occasion as he had done before. He asked — "What was gambling? and whether it was right or wrong. If wrong it was wrong no matter how carried on. It was , coming to this .that a working man would be branded as a criminal for making- a bet, because he had not the facilities of the wealthier classes. There /was no doubt that racing clubs had attempted to bring the Gaming Act into disrepute, and had granted licenses to bad characters. Those ag itating for the repeal of the clause were endeavouring to create a monopoly in favour of horse owners. Bet ting would so on even if the bookmaker was abolished. Every man is a gambler, if gambling is defined as a desire to get something- for nothing. He had betted all his life and would continue to do so. It might as well be argued that as marriage was responsible for much misery the Marriage Act ought to be repealed, as ask for the abolition of the bookmaker on account of mischief caused by betting. If gambling was a vice the best thing 'was to have it carried on in full view, not to drive it into secret places. RACING CLUBS -DEFENDED. Mr Herries defended the clubs from the charge of allowing financial con siderations to influence their actions in regard to the bookmaker. He also denied that racing clubs had been actuated by political motives, or had made an organised effort to bring the Gaming Act into disrepute. TOO MANY RACE MEETINGS. Mr Buddo sai3 there* had been a general complaint as to the number, of race mogtUftb ' '<

CAN'T BE STAMPED OUT. Mr Herdman contended that gambling could . not be stamped out by legislation. The House ought to con sider how it could be controlled. SUPPORTERS. Messrs Hogan, Pearce, Hanan and Giover supported the resolution. The House rose at 5.20. THE EVENING SITTING. THE LTEBATE RESUMED. RETENTION OF THE TOTE. . In the House this evening Mr Hardy favored the retention of the totalisator. AGAINST BOTH. Mr Malcolm announced his intention to vote against the bookmaker and the totalisator. If a repressive law was strictly enforced it would ibe found impossible for the bookmaker to carry on the busine!\^ DEAD AGAINST GAMBLING. Mr Taylor (Christchurch) could not understand why the bookmaker had been singled out for drastic treat ment. He would vote for the abolition of both bookmaker and totalisator. He moved to add the following words to the resolution, and that the question repealing legislation permitting the use of the totalisator be referred to a vote of the people within six months from this date. He was confident that the opposition of the large horse owners to the bookmakers was that they stood to .gain tltrough the increased amount handled by clubs owing to totalisator bets. A referendum only was the proper means of obtaining a popular decision on the issue. Horse racing was .only carried on as a means of unhealthy excitement, and as means 6f acquiring gain, whicj ■manym en were too lazy to get byindustry. He felt sure the House would not vote for the abolition of the tote, but if a referendum was taken it would go out by 4 to 1. He moved his amendment. The Speaker ruled his amendment out of order as it dealt with a question embodied in the second resolution, which could not be put. If the amendment was carried the bookmakers had outlived themselves, and it was time they were killed. THE PREMIER'S 'REPLY. Sir J. G. Ward said all the talk ab out the Government introducing' a Bill was pure fudge. The question was not a party one. The Government wanted to know . the opinions of members upon the important point before bringing in a Bill. Had the Act. of 1907 not been instrumental in confining bookmakers to racecourses the latter would have been instrumental ere this in abolishing the tote The present situation had been largely brought about by those who should have helped to carry out the law.' THE BOOKMAKERS GO OUT. A SWEEPING MAJORITY. On a division the motion was carijed by '62 to 4, those against were: Messrs Millar, Caroll, Glover and Wilford, AGAINST THE TOTE. Sir J. G. Ward then moved his second resolution .to abolish the tote. The debate is proceeding at midnight. BY-LAWS BILL. (Our Correspondent). . WELLINGTON, July 21. In the Council this afternoon the Attorney-General • moved the second reading of the By-Laws Bill, the object of which is the protection of the by-laws against technical or formal objections. The Minister explained that a provision, was made for promptly testing the validity of the by-laws, but that if the by-law was good in substance, and only a technical defect in it, it would be. unassailable. The discussion following showed general approval of the principle of the Bill, but a number of committee objections were raised. The Bill was read a second time, and referred to the Statutes Revision Committee.