CHURCH ON BETTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18388, 2 May 1923, Page 6

CHURCH ON BETTING.

POSITION IN. BRITAIN.

BOOKMAKERS INCREASING.

; -'A'.'.. resolution declaring that the legal inconsistency of granting Government facilities for ; gambling, while prosecuting the defaulters, : called ; for ; amendment, I and asking ; for ; legislation to suppress■ v the publication of betting tips, was unanimously ;passed : ; by ' ; the '[ Free Church; Assembly at Bristol recently. /;: <

'■'. A century ago," : Said the . Rev. Dr. R., F.. Horton, " there were only 20 bookmakers whereas V now ; there are 300,000. The betting < interest is more terrifying to the Government than the liquor trade. - - - . ■:.-,!''.■■■ •'■'•.'

" Even the ; wholesome game, of football has become connected with gambling.' ; Players are backed 'by 'betting interests up to .as much as £50 per man. . - v" : : : ;:,;"/' ; - ? .:-':'v,;',-'.-'.'.. -.

*' It would ■be better to tax betting profits than profits on honest trade. ;; "The danger :of M interfering j; legally with betting proceeds," continued Dr. Horton, "is that it : would legalise the trade of the bookmaker. ,'.-. Sometimes competitions are introduced at bazaars. , First sign of the gambling habit. " I .was horrified to see placarded in London, in an . appeal for the London hospitals, i: the statement: , '.Get ; £7500 and be happy for life.' - T " There is a wretched figure like a Chinese god, gloating over the fact that one can get £7500 out for \ putting 5s in. That is not only dangerous. It will desecrate charity : itself." , I •■Referring to the proposed 'tax on betting, the Rev. Sherwin Smith, of Ross-on-Wye, said he would not like to see the Free Church Council supporting the getting of revenue , from- betting. It would be wrong and immoral, and might lead to the establishment of State lotteries. ■ ' ■ .-->,' :',-; : ;'' -'i.