The Totalisator.

Southland Times, Issue 19367, 18 August 1904, Page 4

The Totalisator.

It is curious to see how opinions on the totalisator d!iffer. That machine has been conclusively proved the most effective agency \\\ the spread of gambling ever introduced on the race course. It has been comlenrmed as nn enemy to law and morals by thoso who aro in tho best position to judge of the effects of its working. Tho Chief Justice of tho colony is a most uncompromising enemy of tho totalisator, and it had also been ruthlessly exposed by members of tho legal profession^ who in the preparation of their cases have got a glimpse behind the scenes. There are , somo, however, who speak of the totalisator as if it were a boon, and view with alarm the possibility of any opponent of it being returned Green, the President of the Goro Racing to Parliament. For instance, Mr T. Club, speaking on tho contemplated purchase of a totalisator, said that a good deal depended on the temper of Parliament. "If people sent faddists to Parliament they might lose the totalisator, but if they sent sound, good men they would bo ablo to keep it." Probably we shall have as a test question to candidates, " Are you in favour of the totalisator ?" and a negative answer will no doubt sfeal their fate- .

A few days ago Mr H. G. Ell, M.H.R.. received an invitation from the Canterbury Jockey Club, to be present at the Grand National meeting. He declined it, pointing out that the Canterbury Jockey Club, not satisfied with a £1 totalisa* tor and the gain made thereby, but with an utter disregard to the increase of gambling which it knew must follow, instituted ass and a. double totolisator. The statutes of tho colony. ho pointed out, bristled with enactments to prevent gambling, imposing heavy fines and imprisonment on those keeping gambling houses, in fact, stamping gambling as a vice. "To be consistent," says Mr Ell, " I could -not support even with my presence an institution, one of the objects of which is to lay itself out to induce as many people to gamble as it can. It seems ungracious to write as I Have done, in the face of the courteous invitation you have extended to mo. hut I could not writo and say that I regretted not being ablo to accept your Invitation. It is better that I should speak out."