THE GAMBLING EVIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11128, 30 July 1907, Page 2

THE GAMBLING EVIL.

(Per Press Association.) . WELLINGTONj; this day. A deputation of citizens'"' clergymen,' members of Parliament, and others interested in' the gambling question, waited on the Premier to-day, with a request for the imposition of further legislative restrictions on what was represented to be a grooving great evil. All the principal cities were represented on the deputation, Tlie Premier, m reply, said Fast year's Bill tried to give effect to what he thought was a tremendous advance, and included several very importjjnt reforms. It did. away witli street betting, and 1 made betting by minors almost impossible^ and" limited jbetting to racecourses. If they got legislation of that sort on the statute book it would be a tremendous advance, and it was as much as they expected to get there. As to albolition of the totalisator, tlie deputation must recognise it was not possible,., to get such a proposal thi-bugh Parliament, and m any case he asked was it desirable to defer legislation oi a general description. until it waa possible? It was . not desirable. He was anxious to do 'all m his power to -meet the wishes of the deputation, but he recognised there was a latge^section of the community who looked upon race meetings as part and parcel of the system which they supported and believed m. Personally hedid not see any harm m a race meeting if carried out properly. He thought the system of > doubles betting should be stopped. Provision for doing so would be included m the Bill already drafted!.