THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered tor Transmission through the Post as a Newspaper. WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 1949 Off-Course Betting

Northern Advocate, 12 October 1949, Page 4

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered tor Transmission through the Post as a Newspaper. WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 12, 1949 Off-Course Betting

Twenty-two months since the Gaming Commission reported in favour of introduction of off-course

betting facilities in New Zealand and seven months since its recommendations were approved by a two-to-one vote at a referendum, the Government has acted to give effect to the wishes of the people.

The Gaming Amendment Bill introduced into the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon, however, is a nebulous measure, doing little more than approving principles already adopted by a much wider franchise than Parliament offers. It would appear that very real difficulties have been encountered in the practical implementation of the measures recommended by the commission, and that, as a sop to public impatience with the lacli of action on a burning social issue, legislation deficient in several cardinal points has been thrown into the lap of a dying Parliament.

The general belief that introduction of the measure had been delayed owing to protracted negotiations between the Racing Conference and the Government on the issue erf financial responsibility for the organisation of the proposed off-course betting system was confirmed by the Prime Minister yesterday.

Although Mr Fraser did not elaborate. it is believed that negotiations were impeded when it was suggested that the Government should substantially assist in financing capital outlay and the running expenses of the new organisation. The Gaming Commission recommended that the Government should not bear any proportion of the cost. ‘Tor it to do so would be, in a sense, to clothe itself with a proprietary interest in the conduct of a betting system, and to that we are decisively opposed,” stated its report. ‘‘The burden of the cost should fall on the Racing and Trotting Conferences. It is the sport which they foster which has given rise to the betting which is to be handled, and it is upon betting that the clubs they represent are dependent to a very great extent for their income ” If the £24,000,000 which It is now estimated is handled annually by bookmakers is diverted to the new channels to be provided the administrators .will l'eceive an annual income of £1,800.000. The commission believed that if only half that amount was handled under the new system the conferences would benefit very materially. Clauses in the bill enhble the

Minister to advance money to the Totalisator Agency Board, to be established.

Any public finance placed at its disposal should not be conjured from the inflationary well of the "national credit,'’ but should be advanced on a strictly business basis. Chances have to be taken in any venture of this nature, and it is the interests which will benefit that should shoulder the risks. Even if the volume of betting in the initial stages is not as high as anticipated or if costs approximate the high figure of 7 per cent quoted before the commission, yields are bound to be substantial, provided the scheme Is protected against the competition of the illegal bookmaker. It was removal of this reproach to our social life which was the primary reason for appointment of the Gaming Commission and for the "Yes" vote at the referendum. The commission, in its report, expressed the belief that illegal off-

course betting could be reduced to a reasonable minimum by intensified and sustained police action, supplemented and reinforced by other appropriate measures, among the foremost of which was listed denial of the use of the telephone for illegal pui-poses. The proposed legislation does little

to make bookmaking a more hazardous occupation, although a clause prohibits persons from printing, preparing or having in their possion tickets, vouchers or documents designed to be used in connection with bookmaking or the laying of odds. Substantial fines are provided for this and for having in one’s possession a ticket in an unauthorised raffle or sweepstake. The legislation does offer some progress. If the bill is passed, as it will be, from December 15 publication of dividends will be permissible, operation of doubles totalisators will be authorised, and country racing clubs will be given a modicum of assistance by having the right to increase the sweepstakes at their picnic meetings. The request for introduction of a 5/- tote at such meetings has not been met. Even if the bill had not been so limited in it 3 scope it must be realised that the enactment of any measure will not automatically conjure a practical scheme into operation. A further long wait for the introduction of the desired off-course betting facilities seems inevitable.