BROADCASTING RACES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 16 July 1928, Page 7

BROADCASTING RACES

PRACTICE TO CEASE

ENCOURAGES ILLEGAL BETTING

(By Telegraph.—Special to "The Mail")

(TIRISTCHURCII, RUh duly

There will be no more broadcasting of races in progress according to a resolution passed by the New Zealand Racing Conference to-day. Tho question was brought up in a. report, the chief ground of objection being that the broadcasting stimulated illegal belling. Tho chief racecourse inspector (Mr A. Ward) in liis report said: "The important aspect of the subject is whether it is a wise policy , to permit, either free or for payment, the broadcasting by wireless of racing news from race or trotting courses. Racing and betting on horse racing is regulated and governed by very drastic statute law, the basic principle of which is to confine betting on horse racing events to the particular course, where and when racing is taking place-, and only by those who are able to be on the course in person, and then only through the medium of the totalisator. This means that if a. person cannot attend a race.meeting iu person he cannot bet on any racing event unless he commits offence. The obvious intention of the Statute is to stifle interest in horse racing and betting theron on race days away from the course. This being the ease', would it be prudent policy for racing clubs to permit an outside! body which has no responsibility under the Gaming Act, for private profit to pursue a course which can have no other effect'than to stimulate interest which results in illegal betting. It cannot be doubted that broadcasting as at present carried on does stimulate interest away from racecourses on race days and is resulting in an increase of business for bookmakers. This is common knowledge. Receiving sets are to be found in 'clubs, hotels, and other places, where news from courses is received by wireless and bookmakers are taking full advantage of the fact. If racing clubs are accused of providing a stimulus to bookmakers and their clients to indulge, in illegal betting it would be awkward to refute it. Tt would bo no answer to say that the Government provides bookmakers with telcphonas which undoubtedly facilitate their illegal calling. As'the racing authorities cannot reasonably condemn the administration of the Gaining Act while condoning something of equal effects, I suggest that a sound argument against the allowing of broadcasting is that it tends to create interest which leads to betting in places and under circumstances which arc forbidden by law. I am advised by the Commissioner of Police that he has had representations made to him on this very subject by his officers. He is averse to the broadcasting of news from the courses as -it tends to increase his difficulties in suppressing illegal I betting." The following resolutions were adopted by the conference: (1) is not in the interests of racing clubs or of the general public that such broadcasting should be permitted for the reasons that such broadcasting promotes and facilitates illegal betting and creates and maintains an attention to the happenings at, race meetings during the progress thereof by many persons not present, which results in disadvantage to the/ business community: (2) That radio broadcasting of this kind be prohibited by all clubs, hut that all clubs lie recommended to accord to responsible representatives of the radio Broadcasting Company all the privileges and facilties now enjoyed by the Press in order that such representatives may take such i notes as may enable the broadcasting of race meetings as part of the evening's programme. The chairman said these resolutions would be sent out to all clubs, and if any club did not accept it it was for the conference to say what would be done to that club.

VIEWS OF THE RADIO COMPANY

(By Telegraphs-Special to "The Mail" CHIISTCHURCH, 14th July.

Now that the Racing Conference has placed a ban on the .broadcasting of descriptions of race meetings while the races are actually in progress, the public will hear the results only, and that after the races for the day are finished. Mr A. R. Harris, General Manager of the Broadcasting Company of New Zealand, said to-day that the Company had always made it plain it would respect the'wishes of the clubs. They did not presume to teach other people bow to run their businesses. "When, however, the trotting and racing conferences based their refusal to permit further broadcasting on such reasons as those set out in the resolutions, then the logic of their decision is certainly open to question." He continued: "We do not admit that broadcasting facilitates illegal betting. If the conference had evidence of the prevalence of illegal betting, then obviously that evidence should have been placed in the hands of the proper authorities. If, the other hand, it has no substantial evidence, why should Jaw-abiding listeners be penalised? So far as the promotion of legitimate sport is concerned, the present method of descriptive broadcasting of actual racing does more good for the sport than the alternative evening broadcast of an ordinary report, as suggested by the coni ference, could possibly achieve. "The Broadcasting "Company is quite as desirous as is the Racing Conference that the laws of the land should be de- . fended. Its best interests lie in !H'omotinrr the moral and material welfare of the people whom it serves, but I cannot see the logic of that part of the resolution which alleges it to bo disadvantageous to the business community that the attention of those not attending race meeiings should be attracted bv broadcasting, while implying that no disadvantage to the business community is incurred by those who actually attend tho meetings."