DOG RACING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22068, 26 September 1933, Page 9

DOG RACING

(From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, August 18. A strong defence of greyhound racing has been made by the Rev. R. H. Nottage, vicar of All Souls', Clapton. He was speaking at a luucheon preceding a matinee greyhound meeting at Clapton Stadium in aid of the funds of his church. . , ~ , ... "I must protest against the hostile criticism, born of ignorance, against a diversion which brings entirely healthy relaxation and an element of excitement to many thousands of peonle," said Ml Nottage. "Critics of greyhound racing say that the sport promotes gambling, but gambling has yet to be proved wrong m itself. It is merely the expression of an instinct of human nature—the desire for a 'flutter.'" Dealing with the question of legalising the totalisator on greyhound tracks, Mr Nottage said: "I hope that the Government may very soon see its way clear to remove the grave injustice which permits the advantages of the 'tote" to patrons of the turf, while refusing it to their ■equally sporting fellow-citizens, the patrons' of the greyhound tracks. The Rev. J. M. F. Dumphreys, vicar ot St. Philip's Church, Old Kent road, who •was also present, stated that he was a strong supporter of greyhound racing.