TOTALISATOR PERMITS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18321, 11 August 1921, Page 8

TOTALISATOR PERMITS

AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY'S OPPOSITION. (From Oub Own- Correspondent.) AUCKLAND,. August 10. The extension of the totalise tor permits recommended hy the Racing Commission was strongly condemned by the Auckland Presbytery last evening. The subject was introduced by the Rev. D. D.. Scott (Onohunga), who proposed flie following motion : The Presbytery the recommendation of tin* Racing Commission for an extension of totalisator permits with the grayest disapproval. It does so mainly because the totnlisator is made to servo a*prfipose that is demonstrably in antagonism to Christian ethics of justice and benevolence. The character of. gambling is not elevated by the magic of a Government license. No advocate of the totalisator has so far candidly faced the issue against which the Church launches her attack. Various attempts are made to obviate the necessity of publicly defending the evil principle involved. In addition; the alleged call for an increase of permits, and the outcry against the elimination of some already in existence, goes to show that the chief interest on the racecourse is not the sport of iiorsc racing, but the vice of gambling. At a time when so much attention is being given to the education of the youth of New Zealand, it is deplorable that any party should plead for an extension of a principle and practice that are so detrimental *to the growth of chivalry and honour.

In moving the motion, Mr Scott said the evil principle which was identified with the bookmaker was to bo found with the totalisator. There was no ethical differ- . ence. It was no use people who advocated the totalisator saying that those who opposed it were narrow-minded and opposed to field sports. The Church had nothing against sports, such as football, cricket, and hockey, and its ministers had never discouraged them in any way, nor had the Church anything against horse racing as such, but as a means of encouraging the spirit of gambling. The motion was seconded by the Kex.. C Porter, who urged that the Church, should fight with all her strength against any encouragement of gambling. Several other speakers expressed the opinion that the Church should oppose any increase in racing, and that the time had arrived when gambling on the racecourse should be crushed. The proposed extensions wore detrimental from an economic as well as a spiritual standpoint. The resolution was carried.