THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a newspaper. THURSDAY JANUARY 8, 1948 Bookmakers' Protest

Northern Advocate, 8 January 1948, Page 2

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a newspaper. THURSDAY JANUARY 8, 1948 Bookmakers' Protest

The Gaming Commission’s report has been productive of varied comment. but that made by the secretary of the Dominion Sportsmen’s Assoeition is calculated to make even a horse laugh.

The bookmakers of the Dominion the secretary says, feel hurt and what is more, insulted.

They have for years practised selfsacrifice in order to convenience the betting public, they have provided the broadcasting authorities with information without charge, thereby contributing to the profits of a St am department and the education aivi entertainment of listeners, and they have conferred other privileges upon the country.

And what has been their reward? Nothing but criticism at the hands of the Gaming Commission and a plot to rob them of their hardearned revenue taken from their clients.

It is really too bad, the secretary evidently thinks, and the Dominion Sportsmen's Association will probably go into recess. Then what will the bookmakers, the broadcasting service and the general public do? “The public will then see,” says

the secretary, “what it is like not to be able to bet as they wish to, and it is our hope that there will be such a flood of protests that the recommendations of the commission will not be adopted.” Having delivered himself of this veiled threat, the secretary finds solace in the following thought: “In any case, few bookmakers make any money between January and Easter, and this would be a most opportune time for them to take a holiday.” This solace, however, is evidently felt to need some backing, and the secretary expresses the opinion that the recommendations of the commission “could not have been worse. Its proposals will not work. Wo never dreamt for a second that these recommendations would be made. We thought 'our case was foolproof, and I was certain that bookmaking

would be licensed . . . we have been hit out there is no use in squealing.” These comments referred to will doubtless convince the people of the Dominion that a class of men who have been following an illegal occupation. and who have openly admitted the existence of a controlling organisation, possess effrontery even if they lack humour.