Must Be As Efficient As That Operating Today

Northern Advocate, 19 October 1949, Page 2

Must Be As Efficient As That Operating Today

INCREASED FACILITIES

M.P. SAYS BETTING SYSTEM ...

WELLINGTON, Wed. (P.A.).—Mr F. Langs tone (Ind. L.— Hoskill), one of the two speakers in the House of Representatives last night on the Gaming Amendment Bill, which was put through committee and passed, said there was no doubt that off-course betting took place today. It was simple and easy—people had only to go to the telephone one minute before the end of a race and place their bets. The off-course scheme had to be as efficient as that operating today, otherwise the bookmaker would not be beaten. If there was no scheme, it was possible that the Government itself would have to provide it.

Mr Langstons raid the referendum had indicated that the public desired a system of legal off-course betting, and they fully expected the authorities—the Racing and Trotting Conferences—to put forward proposals which would inaugurate the scheme. "There Is no scheme and I am very concerned ’’ ho said "Several months have gone by and I presume they have given the matter very careful consideration, but before this House *s asked to pass the legislation that scheme shoud be put before the Government and members of Parliament. “We are simply voting on the blind. "We do not know if there is a scheme, of if there is no scheme at all. or whether there is a scheme which will be totally inadequate." TWO INSTINCTS Mr Langstone said gambling developed two instincts—the sporting and l 'e acquisitive. The latter often led to very serious -insequences indeed The totalisator was a betting shop, but the people who were in charge of race meetings had no special private gain to make, whereas the bookmaker wan "in to gain as much as he can. ’ What is the scheme to eliminate the bookmaker? asked Mr Langstone. "At piesent, the organisation which has the telephones is the only one which can successfully operate ofTcoursc- betting," said Mr Langstone. There was a lot of useless labour in New Zealand, and instead of all the talk about more production which was meant for those already employed attention should be turned to the thousands, the tens of thousands, in the ur 'less labour class who might possibly be engaged in nefarious forms of bookmaking.

Mr J. A Roy (O—Clutha) said he was so-rv the House was passing legislation wlvchf in his opinion, and the opinion of many people, would increased facilities for gambling. He was not a “kill 'port.” but he regretted that so much sport was being spoiled and large sums of money were being spent in various forms of gambling

He was aware that there had been a referendum.

Many people had voted for offcourse hettinc because they thought it would eliminate the bookmakers and so reduce gambling, but he did not think that would be the case. The extension of legal facilities for betting was not in the best interests of the country, and he wished to register his protest at the bill, which made’it easier for young people to gamble within the law . Mr Parry. Minister of Internal Affairs, in a brief reply to the debate, said he fervently believed the procedure adopted by the Government was correct "The Government will have to carry the responsibility for any scheme,” he said.