A PARADIBE FOR GAMBLERS

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13929, 12 June 1909, Page 2

A PARADIBE FOR GAMBLERS

MR. MASSEY' S CRITICISM

"TWO HEADS ON A PENNY."

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, uue 11. Some severe comments on the new Gaming and lotteries Act were made by Mr. Massey this afternoon. The result of the passing of that Act be said, had been to make New Zealand a parade for spielers. "They have come here in hundreds," he said, and the result has been to greatly increase what is called the illegitimate form of racing which is carried on, not in the interests of sport but simply to afford opportunities for gambling. Scenes have occurred on our racecourses since the passing of the Act which were unthought of two or three years ago, and a number of resnectablo people who used to go there for the enjoyment of the sport now stay away. The legislation is faulty; even some of the more respectable bookmakers have complained to me of the position in which they have been placed by the passing of the Act Ido not understand the influences that were brought to bear, and 1 don't want to know; but I sincerely hope that we shall not go on with the mistake that was made. We shall hare to do something better than that. Mr. Poole: Abolish the totahsator B lto K ether. (Hear, hear.) Mr Massey: If the hon. gentleman proposes to abolish gambling nt one stroke I will support him. Mr Wilford: You can't do that as long M there are two heads on a penny —(laughter)— l mean a head and a tail.