COMMONERS ASTONISHED.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 8 June 1923, Page 7

COMMONERS ASTONISHED.

GREAT AMOUNT OF BETTING.

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYBIGHT Received June 8, 9.45 a.m. LONDON, June 7. ! Complete' astonishment at the extraordinary amount of betting was the predominant impression among members of the House- of Commons Select Committee on betting after a visit to the Derby, where they were the guests of the Jockey Chib. They confessed that they had previously no idea of the scale of operations, and regretted that it was impossible to devise-a scheme by which the amount of money which changed hands on the course could be calculated. More than, one member was convinced that on a big day like the Derby it would be impossible to collect a tax on the course, and that means would have to be devised to collect through other channels- Members

conscientiously investigated all aspects of betting, and cross-questioned bookmarkers and interviewed winning jockeys. Apparently the majority did not attempt to gain first hand knowledge, though one confessed that he left a tenner behind.—Times. Sir -Horace Hamilton said that he thought the cost of collection would not exceed 1J per cent. Replying to a question of whether he suggested the i repeal of the law so as to make bets ; recoverable in the law courts, Sir ' Horace Hamilton said it was not for

them to consider that. He declared that credit betting was not illegal, but jvas not enforceable in the courts — Ajus.-X.Z. Cable Assn.