BATTLE AGAINST GAMBLING

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16913, 9 December 1920, Page 4

BATTLE AGAINST GAMBLING

THE MINISTER’S CAMPAIGN. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON. Dec. 8. Tire Minister for Justice stated today that he was aware that unlawful betting had not stopped, although he thought that its volume had been reduced. The Government certainly was in earnest in the enforcement of the law, and Ire pointed out that the Gaming Amendment Act of last session provided penalties for men who bet with bookmakers, as well as for bookmakers themselves. He would be sorry to see any of Now Zealand’s sportsmen go to gaol, but the law was there to be observed, and it might bo necessary to provide examples. “I think most of the betting men will agree with me that the racecourses provide all facilities for gambling that we require in this country,” said Mr. Leo. “It is not in the public interest that young men in offices and factories should be crowding after bookmakers on working days and spending their money and time on race meetings all over the Dominion. lam one of those who enjoy races, hut I think Parliament was well advised when it decided that hotting should be confined to racecourses.” The Minister addressed a conference of senior police officers in Wellington this morning Tiie conference had been considering questions of organisation and administration as well as matters connected with the enforcement of some of the new laws.