RACING FACILITIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26410, 14 March 1947, Page 10

RACING FACILITIES

EXTENSION OPPOSED THE LOTTERY “ MISCHIEF ” Special to the Daily Times WELLINGTON, Mar. 1. Discussing points already raised in evidence, the statement opposes the legalisation of off-course betting. “ The churches,” it says, ‘‘accept the existing law in so far as it permits the use of the totalisator for betting on the course only because they must. “We would draw attention to the startling hold which gambling, both legal and illegal, on the events of horse racing has on a large section of the community. It has increased,is increasing, and ought to be diminished. Any campaign for reducing the total volume of betting should logically begin by the adoption of measures to suppress illegal betting. Desire for More Permits “ Where is it all to stop? ” the statement asks in reference to the requests by both the Racing and Trotting ( Conferences for additional permits. 14 It is perhaps hot out of place here to make an appeal to lovers of racing as a sport, to pause and consider just where they are heading by making these repeated requests for increased facilities ior gambling at their meetings and basing them on the alleged demands of the nublic They have described the use of the totalisator as “the mainspring of racing in New Zealand. It is possible to break a mainspring by overexertion of pressure and thereby makv. a watch useless as a chronometer.

“ The proportion or racegoers who are interested in the actual racing,” the churches state, continues to become less and less, and the proportion of those who are interested in. the gamble is growing greater and greater. “Many of the most prominent, supporters of racing are already saying that there are too many racing days now. Even the Sportsmens Association, which would personally profit from additional totalisator days, through its secretary, considers tnm there are enough racing days as it is. After opposing the other proposals advanced by the advocates of racing the statement refers to the possibility of suggestions being made for a state lottery in New Zealand, and says it is deemed proper that the churches should express in advance their earnest opposition to any such proposal. The “ lottery mischief extends beyond the borders of the Dominion,:it is stated, and little Or nothing is done to prevent participation in Australian lotteries ana sweepstakes. “The churches consider that an ena should be put to this insincerity of purpose on the part of. the State How can the State,” it is asked expect a general standard of respect for Us general laws if some °f. lts oncers connive at these breaches of its gaming laws? Restrictions Urged “Horse racing is a legitimate sport,’ the statement says, “and is to the same publicity as other sports, but when legitimate sport is subordinated to gambling, both, legal and illegal, some restrictions in publicity are justified in the public interest. The Associated Churches therefore consider that the existing restrictions on the publication of dividends should be retained and the following further restrictions applied:— . - ‘.‘Broadcasting of descriptions of races and results should not be undertaken until after the running of the tast race on the day of any race meet- “ Newspaper and radio publicity prior to an event should be limited to the recording of facts and all expressions of opinion under the guise of 4 prospects/ ‘fancies/ ‘favourites, or ‘horses likely to be well supported should be stopped.”