THE LICENSING OF BOOKMAKERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2803, 4 December 1907, Page 55

THE LICENSING OF BOOKMAKERS.

Outside opinions on matters of local importance are invariably interesting and frequently contain a word of wisdom which cannot be ignored by anyone possessing 'an open and unbiassed mind. The latest issue of the Australasian, in the course of its leading article on. sporting, has something to say in reference to the bookmaker-totalisator question, which is at present co very prominent in this country. "Whether a rich club like the C.J.C. is wise in having bookmakers 6ent to gaol for betting on a racecourse is doubtful. , They must alienate the sympathy of a good many people with votes, and (says the paper mentioned) when it comes to a fiffht for the tbtalisator those votes, which should be cast- for "the retention of the machine, may be given to the goody-goody people who wish to abolish the totalisator. These people, if they could, would do away with racing altogether, and if they can kill the totalisator in New Zealand they will have travelled sot ? distance in that direction. Almost every account of an important race meeting in New Zealand reports !»n increase in the totalisator takings, but still the clubs are not satisfied. W«en the totalisator first came into operation the clubs were allowed to manage it without Government interference, and there was no question- about its superiority to the bookmaker as -a means of bett ; ng. But some people have a fancy for taking the odds in the old way, and why not let them do so? If the totalisator is so supe- . rior to the bookmaker, thoee who run it should not be frightened to let it 6tand up against the opposition of a few bookmakers. In South Australia the racing clubs were quite content to let the bookmaker.bet if he nlpaspd "