HORSE RAGING MENACED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18541, 29 April 1922, Page 10

HORSE RAGING MENACED

SPORTSMEN, SEEK PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSION. The dream of hoof-beats on green turf; the thrills of the struggle for supremacy of fine .horses and game jockeys, gay dresses and sunshine on beautiful racecourses; rollicking days of enjoyment and good fellowship—how much these things mean to the average New Zealander! Yet, at this, moment, one of our finest sports airtl relaxations, is menaced by a canker from within. Betting with the bdbkraaker, driven underground by ill-con-sidered legislation, is affecting the. moral fibre of people in- every centre and unjustlv drawing racing into disrepute. The road is open for the propaganda of extremists who seek nothing less than the abolition of horse-racing. When the Gaming Act was first passed, the fine, honest, breezy chaps who used to call the odds of our racecourses—men whom everybody trusted and respected—were compelled to relinquish their profession in order to maintain their'reputation. A number of good sportsmen have now seen the mistake of this legislation,, and are endeavouring to nip its ill consequences in the bud. A petition is at present being circulated and freely signed, asking for a Parliamentary Commission to take evidence as to whether reputable men should not be licensed to operate on racecourses only, m competition with the totalisator. This is a democratic solution of the problem which has persented itself to fair-minded people. If bookmaking is again made a respectable avocation it will enable the authorities to. deal effectively with the undercurrent c.r undesirables. The reputable man who would then be legalised would take a sincere interest in assisting’ to restore racing to its proper place in public esteem. Do your part, sign the petition to-day. It has been freely circulated, and mar be signed almost anywhere. , When petitions are filled-up thev should be promptly returned to Bos 1011, Wellington.—Advt.