RACING CLUBS

Southland Times, Issue 22131, 27 September 1933, Page 6

RACING CLUBS

TELEGRAPHIC BETTING 'DOUBLE TOTALISATOR ADVOCATED IN THE HOUSE (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, September 26. The reinstatement of the double totalisator, telegraphic betting and the publication of dividends, was advocated by Mr W. J. Broadfoot in the House to-night when seconding the Address-in-Rcply motion. He also suggested the inauguration of a State lottery in place of the present art unions. Mr Broadfoot said the Government had years ago withdrawn certain privileges from racing clubs and as a result there had cropped up an army of bookmakers which were no good to the country. These bookmakers were not only looking for business, but were also canvassing for business and the State was losing taxation. If racing clubs were given back their former privileges this session, plus the double totalisator, the bookmaker would disappear and the Government would reap the extra taxation. The tax would be, a voluntary tax and luxury tax and it was one which the country would bo entitled to collect. Thus by reinstating these former privileges the Government would not only be helping racing clubs, but also helping itself. Mr Broadfoct also urged the Government to run a State lottery instead of the present art unions which seemed to be continuing indefinitely. In New South Wales last year a profit of £667,000 had been made out of the State lottery and in Queensland there had been a profit of £lll,OOO, plus £22,000 which had been collected in taxes. “If these proposals were put into operation,” said Mr Broadfoot, “I claim we would eliminate the bookmaker and at the same time would provide facilities for both the silver bettor and the big investor.”