BOOKMAKERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 25 August 1922, Page 5

BOOKMAKERS

IS THE LAW A DEAD LETTER?

From Oar Parliamentary Correspondent

WELLINGTON, This Day

The assertion made by the Christchurch Press that the Justice Department was helping to make the law against bookmakers a dead letter, and that the Post and Telegraph Department was aiding and abetting bookmakers was referred to in the House by Mr Isitt. He asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention had been drawn to the statements, and what he proposed to do. The Postmaster-General suggested the question should have been addressed to the Minister ot Justice. However, as far as,he was concerned, the matter was not quite so simple as some people believed. Some little time back, about 70 people in Wellington suddenly found their telephone connections had been cut off, but almost immediately the Department had to reinstate the telephones because there was no direct evidence that they were being used for illegal purposes.. The only way to secure such evidence was to listen in, and he would not agree to allow listening in. Of course, it the Government said that listening in was to be allowed, he supposed he would have to obey instructions. However,. the Department guaranteed absolute secrecv, and because such secrecy was observed, the Department bail earned the confidence of the public. n telephone subscriber might quite innocently allow a friend; to convey a bet over a telephone, so it would be seen tnc problem was really a very difficult one. In seven cases in Wellington there was direct evidence against a telephone subscriber, and the connection, which had Teen cut off. had not since been restored He would be very glad to consult with the Minister of Justice to sec if it was possible to do anything further in the matter.