A CURB ON GAMBLING

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 221, 16 August 1928, Page 10

A CURB ON GAMBLING

MR BAVIN AND TIN .HARES. LIVELY INTERJECTIONS. A tremendous ovation ivas accorded the Premier of New South Wales, Mr Bavin, last week on the occasion of an address at Chatswood. The meeting proceeded for some time, interrupted only by a burst of applause. But when Mr Bavin, spoke of the action of the Government in preventing the extension of the - facilities for gambling on tin hares and at night trotting meetings, lie drew a loud roar from a section of the audience. “Shame I” cried a number of voices. This interjection was countered by a burst of cheering from the majority of the audience.

“I quite agree,” replied Mr Bavin, “it is a shame that men should seek to make money by forcing gambling on the young people of this country . . .’’ “Rot!” yelled the voices. “I can see there are some of our friends who have been affected by this legislation,” said the Premier. “I am sorry if the legislation lias deprived you of the profits you intended to make; but I think you might better use your money and your enterprise than* by seeking to extend the opportunities for gambling. (Applause).. 1 don’t speak as a wowser, or a man who regards it as a sin to make a bet; but I do say that the wide extent to which gambling is practised in this country to-day does furnish a very grave social and economic danger. (Applause). “So far as the Government of which I dm the head is concerned,” Dir, Bavin declared, “wo do not propose to allow any extension of these facilities —(applause)—and if you gentlemen want to extend them, you must wait until you can get into power a government which thinks very differently from what we do.”

“We will wait,” roared the voices. “And I have my own ideas you will have to wait some very considerable time,” replied the Premier, amidst loud applause. At a later stage of the meeting Mr Bavin referred to the administration of the Gaming and Retting Act by ,thcChief Secrotarv (Mr Brurtnell.) A Voice: He’s gone to the dogs. Give us back Gosling. Mr Bavin said that the desire of the gentlemen who wanted Mr Gosling back was shared by a very minute minority of the people of the State. The hostile section remained silent for the remainder of the speech.