THE TOTALISATOR.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 31, 19 January 1912, Page 5

THE TOTALISATOR.

VIEWS OF A COMMISSIONER. [by tei.egp.ape-- ■ srrxi.vr.. ] (Own C orre s p ondent.) Wellington. Jan. IS. The New South Wales Tote Commissioner commenced taking evidence in Wellington this afternoon. Obviously, from enquiries made by a reporter, the opinions of the several members of the Commission are divided on many points. "With very few exceptions.'’ said Mr. Fitzpatrick. another of the Commission, to-day. ' mo-t of the witnesses have been either horse owners or gentlemen very estimable I max say. who are directly connected with racing clubs .such as secretaries or officials. I don’t suggest that this fact ought to discount the evidence given, but 1 do sax that the evidence so given ought to be di-cm-nted to the «une extent as. say. the evidence given by clergymen against the tote."

‘‘lt has been said." Mr. Fitzpatrick continued, that there is a strong demand in New South Wales for the introduction <if the tote. The curcumstance that The Tote Bill has been before the Legislature for many years and that the measure has never got beyond its introductory stages is a sufficient answer to any contention that the people are strongly in favour of it. It is reasonable to assume that if the demand for the introduce io nof the tote is as great as has been represented, the question would have been made one of some moment at the elections. Candidates for Parliament would have been asked a definite qimsiton as to where they stood on the issue. ■ That has evidently not been done?" Mr. Fitzpatrick was asked. "No. re replied. He declined to express any “pinion a to whether

result of the Commission world be in the direction of seeing a private member taking the matter up with the assistance of the Cabinet. On one point( however. Mr. Fitzpatrick was absolutely definite . "If the totalisator. he said, "is intrduced in New South Wales it seems that there will be little doubt that it will be in conjunction with the bookmakers and not without him." "Have you seen on your travels in V:-- Zealand nv <u>. :-r1 ire i dence against the ‘tote’ .'" he was asked. "I have nothing to say against the ■tetr' as an instrument,” he answered. “I don’t see eye to eye with those who contend that the 'tote cannot be manipulated. I do not mean by the officials who manage the machine, but I mean that an owner must readily use the 'tote as well as any other y.-'.em for the purpose i.f taking down tiro public. M e bad :i ’witness at Palmerston North who stated that he had seen the ‘tote’ used in this way. Tha witness was an advocate of the tote’ and an opponent < f the bookmakers. He did not say that the ‘tote’ was used very frequently in the way suggested. Mr Fitzpatrick also combatted the opinion that the ‘tote’ was responsible for the smooth and quiet working on the courses of New Zealand during race meeting. He maintained that there was no appreciable difference in conditions on the best regulated courses in Australia where the bookmakers - solus operated. He agreed that the stakes given in New South Wales compared very favourable with those-given in New Zealand in towns of comparative population. "Of course." he admitted, "the ‘tote’ may help some of the smaller country clubs.”