“Hundreds Of Bookmakers Operating In New Zealand.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19117, 9 July 1930, Page 6

“Hundreds Of Bookmakers Operating In New Zealand.”

TROTTING CLUB OFFICIAL SAYS THAT “ PARASITE OF HUMANITY IS INCREASING.” (Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, July 9. (i TT IS ESTIMATED, so I am told, that there are at least 150 A bookmakers, of all classes, operating in Auckland city and suburbs. With Wellington and Christchurch as the headquarters for the Dominion, - what must it he like in those cities?” asked Mr John Rowe, of Auckland, vice-president of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, in his address at Wellington to-day. Mr Rowe presided in the absence of the president, Mr H. F. Nicoll, who is in England.

In complimenting the clubs generally on the manner in which the sport had been conducted throughout the season Mr Rowe said that the clubs which had experienced a decrease in their totalisator receipts could, without fear of contradiction, lay the principal cause at the door of the bookmaker. This parasite of humanity was increasing rapidly all over the Dominion and, he was sorry, to say, appeared to be fostered by certain officials. The bookmakers were kept provided with telephones and telegraphic communication by the Government and, in fact, generally allowed to do as they liked. It was well known that the bookmaker was in greater force to-day than he had been for many years. Mr Rowe said that he was informed that the bookmaker was now conducting a house to house canvass and one wellknown firm was reported to have a staff of one hundred on the road. It was illegal to publish dividends, yet the Government allowed the Broadcasting Company to pick up a private telephone'wire and relay a description

of racing for the special benefit of bookmakers, hotel and billiard room clients. He was «ot suggesting that these officials were hand-in-glove with the bookmakers, but it looked very* suspicious. He was well aware that certain owners were strong supporters of the illegal fraternity and these owners were the first to cry out when a club was compelled to reduce the stakes on account of a decreased totalisator turnover. They made laws for the good and safe conduct of the sport, and found that those who made and administered those rules were the first to break them. “As long as the big owner supports these illegal parasites there must be a decline in the totaUsator turnover, with a reduction in stakes which must necessarily follow,” said Mr Rowe. “The Government should realise the great amount of revenue they are losing through the operations of the bookmaker and help the clubs to restore that revenue by exterminating this prey on humanity. The publication of dividends and the facility to wire money to the course would be the quickest solution for the restoration of the lost revenue,” concluded Mr Rowe.