PUBLICATION OF DIVIDENDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22100, 2 November 1933, Page 16

PUBLICATION OF DIVIDENDS

WOMEN’S OPPOSITION. The measure now before the House which seeks to authorise the publication of race dividends is strongly opposed by the Women’s Social Progress Movement, which has sent the following letter to the Prime Minister, Mr G. W. Forbes): — “The Women’s Social Progress Movement is deeply disturbed by the fact that in such a time as this Parliament is being asked to debate a measure which amounts to increasing the facilities for gambling throughout the Dominion. The qualities which these days of national testing demand of the people are just the qualities which gambling does not arouse or encourage, but rathe undermines. We feel therefore, that our members of Parliament should not he required even to consider rendering such a disservice to the best interests of the country as the Bill will undoubtedly render if it is allowed to become law.

“The publication of dividends will serve only to inflame the fever for investment on the totalisator, while the proposal to use the Post Office as a sub-office and postal clerks as agents for a betting machine, is a degradation of a public utility which exists for the service of the community’s business and social requirements. Feeling as we do, that the public mind should not be subjected to the suspicion that high and responsible officers of the Crown are seeking to encourage gambling, we view with alarm the statement made in the House ' that the Police Force is behind this Bill ’ and that the ' head of the Post and Telegraph Department is four-square behind it.’ “ We fervently express the hope that you will do your best to prevent this measure from finding a place among the Statutes of the Dominion.”