THE LAW AND GAMBLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21702, 18 January 1934, Page 13

THE LAW AND GAMBLING

Sir, —Being .a stranger to Now Zealand, and having lived for thirty years among Indians, Malays and the native races of the Pacific, I trust I will not ho considered feeble-minded if I question the logic of a Government that condemns bookmaking and legalises art unions. In ono case, the client is assured of at least one chance in ten, and in the other, one chance in perhaps a thousand. So far as I am aware bookmakers do not advertise themselves, whereas during the month of December a walk down Queen Street gave mo the impression that a ticket in the art union was an essential part of a New Zealander's curriculum, there being a table with books displayed and a placard inviting everybody, even the children, to "try their luck," at every corner and in every recess in the street. I can see no consistency in legislation that permits people to "gamble" on the total isator on the racecourse and makes criminals of thoso who refuse or cannot afTord tho entrance fee and havo a little bit on off the course. To my unsophisticated mind, life and success is at present a huge gamble, and everybody who enters into business of any kind is a gambler. New Zealand is without doubt a beautiful country, but to a stranger its Government is ludicrous. Tho powers that be want more money, and always will want more. Let them get it from the bookmakers in a proper legal way. They can then claim to have been at least consistent. They cannot, failing tho invention of an efficient rnoter, get it from the air, which appears to be about the only alternative. On my return to tho so-called uncivilised natives of tho Pacific I am certain to be questioned about the white man laws, and when the old grey-haired chief who still remembers tho old cannibal days says, "Me think white man not too clear," I want to know what to reply. F. G. BRE>vis.