LABOUR AND BOOKMAKERS

Northern Advocate, 15 September 1932, Page 6

LABOUR AND BOOKMAKERS

REPLY TO MR- MICHAELS. “TALKING THROUGH HIS HAT.” (Special to “Northern Advocate,’’).. AUCKLAND, This Day., The statement made by Mr T,:Michaels /at the annual meeting of the Takapuna Jockey Club this week, 'that members of the Labour Tarty are working tooth and nail to get the bookmakers licensed on the racecourses of New Zealand, is questioned by Mr M. J, Sayage, M.P., deputy-leader of the party, and also by Mr J. Purtell, a prominent member of the Labour Party in Auckland.

“Mr Michaels is talking through his hat,” said Mr -Savage. “As with all parties, some would probably favour such a proposal, and others be against it. For Mr Michaels to say that the Labour Party is working-tooth and nail to have the bookmakers licensed is, to. say the least, playing pretty awkwardly with the truth. I will leave it at that.” “So far from the Labour members working tooth and nail for the return of the bookmakers,” said Mr Purtell, “I feel sure that of the 24 members of the party a very few would support a proposal c-f that -nature. Seeing that our platform is based on social-service, a move to license bookmakers would not square with the party’s platform. It is true a bill was introduced by Mr H, T. Armstrong, Labour member for -Christchurch East, but that does not necessarily mean that it would- have been supported by the rank and file of the party. The definite statement by Mr Michaels that'if a Labour- Government were returned bookmakers would be licensed is certainly news to me, be- - cause no such proposal has e y cf been placed before the Labour Party’s annual conference.”