SPORTS PROTECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14849, 28 November 1911, Page 8

SPORTS PROTECTION.

THE MINISTERS' MANIFESTO.

BASED ON ACTION IN

PARNELL.

REPLY TO BOARD OF CONTROL

A recent manifesto, issued by the Auckland Minister*-' Association, regarding the Sports Protection League, stated :—" The league is fighting for the restitution of the bookmaker, extension of the curse of the totalisator and betting, and the multiplication of racing days. It would go even further, and extend totalisator permits to coursing matches." This statement was challenged by the board of control of the Sports Protection League, located in Wellington, and in a letter to the Ministers' Association the board of control asked the association to withdraw the manifesto.

The Public Morals Committee of the Ministers' Association has now replied to the board of control, as follows : —

" We note your statement that the assertions made ill our manifesto are contrary to fact.

"In reply, we would point -out that these ate verified and jvutined by the propaganda of the Parnell branch of your league. A perusal of the questions put before Parliamentary candidates by that branch will be sufficient justification in the eye* of the public for our declaration. . "We note that, in a report supplied to the. Press Association, your board, dealing with our declaration, states that 'the Ministers' Association hi,vo no knowledge of the subject, and apparently have not deemed knowledge to be a condition essential to clerical denunciation.' .We would remind you that. our association's source of knowledge is that through which the public at large receives its information, i.e., the public press. Our assertions are based upon the public utterances of certain representatives of your league, and in case you are not fully cognisant of what is going on in your name in Parnell, we take the liberty of setting down the gist of the questions asked of Parliamentary candidates by your Parnell branch : — "1. " The branch seeks pledges from candidates that they will support the repeal of the Gaming Amendment Act, 1910/ "We maintain that this is simply urging the restitution* of the bookmaker, and the reinstatement of totalisator facilities to country clubs that have been deprived of them. .:■■-! : * .'■"<■;■■

■ ,: 2. * The. branch seeks pledges from candidates that they will support a measure whereby "the followers of the ancient sport of coursing may have the same privileges as the followers of horse racing, of backing their fancies openly, and without breach of law." '

"In the light of the first demand, the only possible, interpretation of the second is that both ' bookmakers and totalizator should find their nlace on the coursing field.

"We would draw your attention to the following telegram, published in Sport, and said to have been sent by Mr. Mitchclson to vow :—'Auckland.. November 4. 1911. . 11. D. Bell. Wellington.—Better send Secretary, up at once. Declaration .by Armstrong at .., meeting called ; get representatives' views, favour reviving bookmaker, to be licensed by State, restore all country clubs, and authorise bookmakers And totabsator on coursing : ground*. . i As he : mentions your name and that of the board of control, leaving inference that board agreed with him, think board should make pronouncement at once.—(Signed)" E. Mrrcinxsox.' ' "A further confirmation • of the above interpretations is furnished by a reference to the Auckland Stars leader of November 15. as also to the replies given by Sir John Findlavto the questions put by' the Parnell branch of your league. . "If there is any misrepresentation of the • objects of your league, we must ask you to assume the responsibility for it. In the eyes of the public, the Parnell organisation is a branch of your league, and both the officers of that organisation, and, according to a Press. Association telegram, the board of the- league in Wellington admit' the relationship. Mr. Armstrong's motion lies at the foundation of your league, and it has been reported in a local paper that the forms used by Mr. Armstrong for the enrolment of member* bear the names of the executive of your league. We must therefor© be guided as to your league's intentions by the interpretation of your somewhat indefinite constitution offered by a recognised»branch of your society.' : , " In view of the above facte, we must decline to withdraw our manifesto. There can be but one reading of your purposes by the public mind, in view of the missionary work of the Parnell branch, and we conceive it to be our duty to direct public attention to a deliberate attempt, made in the name of your league, to replace on our statute books laws which legalise and foster customs and institutions that are likely ..to;,- become national dangers. . Your league's feverish anxiety to proclaim its unwillingness to ■ extend the use of the totalisator is- tantamount to an admission that the machine is fraught with moral danger to. the nation.- .We charge it home to you .that your league is determined, to maintain and defend facilities for gambling, and that, in r spite of your tacit acknowledgment of the moral danger of such.— are, yours truly. D. D. Scott (convener),. H. Steele Cra'ik, J. Cocker, Howard Elliott (committee). :