DEBATE ON GAMBLING

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1929, Page 3

DEBATE ON GAMBLING

AUCKLAND, Augirst 22

i ' A no-decision debate on gambling between the Rev W. Lawson Marsh (Presbyterian) and Mr 0. E. Major (ex-M.P. for Hawcra), delighted a crowd which packed Scots’ Hall last ■evening.

The debate arose out of a reply by Mr Marsh to Sir Edwin Mitchelson’S remarks at the annual meeting of the Auckland Rncing Club. He said that! Sir Edwin Mitehelson’s condemnation of bookmakers made him an ally of the churches. .Mr Major replied to some other aspects of ■ Mr Marsh’s answer, whereon the clergyman challenged .Mr Major to a public debate. The challenge was accepted. The following are some pearls of wisdorii from the speeches: Mr Marsh: The curse of sport H gambling. When riioney comes in at the door sport flies out of the window. That is why the Rugby Union expels any of its momhers found gambling. (Loud ironic laughter.) Mr Major: Like parsons and publicans, bookmakers might he good, had or indifferent. (Laughter.) Mr Marsh: To say that racing is necessary to maintain the staridard of horses is rot. We niight as Well ask for cock fights to improve poultry, and for hull fights to enhance the quality of beef. ,Mr Major: My opponent has been solicitous for the welfare of the working man, hut the best picker of winners is tlie working man. The worst pickers a.re the owners. (Laughter.) At Elierslie money had to he taken fforn the coriilnission office in order t" pay out at the windows, at which the smaller investments were made.

Mi- Marsh: Money spent on race gambling did not go up in smoke, b’tt down 'in drink. The iotalisator might have some advantages as a facility, hut that did not alter the principle of gambling. If it were such a delightful occupation, why the headlines in the' newspapers revealing police gaming raids? “Why do they try .to prevent that inestimable, ineradicable thing patronised by kings, Sir Edwiii Mitchelson and Mr Major?” (Laughter and applause). Mr Major’: I claim that life is a gamble from the cradle to the grave, and the reverend gentleman here might easily have been born a nigger. It’s a gamble to go to tin* North Pole, up iri an aeroplane, and so why blame a working man for risking 5s to get £5 when others evergambled with their lives? y Mr Marsh (in final reply): I hav< had .back-chat from a corpse. ■'■ Sir George Fowlds carried out th r duties of referee with marked impartiality.