DEBASING EFFECT?

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20476, 30 November 1934, Page 1

DEBASING EFFECT?

House of Commons and Lotteries. LONDON, November 23. During the debate on the Betting and I Lotteries Bill, a member arguing that ! a national lottery would be in nowise i demoralising, said that “ a distinguished person ” now in Australia had drawn one of the favourites in a Melbourne Cup sweep, but, he claimed, nobody would think any the worse of that distinguished person on that account. Mr Winston Churchill suggested that three or four national sweepstakes under the control of a body like the Jockey Club stewards should be permitted each year. This would knock out foreign competition and meet the wishes of a great majority of the people. Critics emphasised the unpopularity of many provisions of the Bill which, as it stands, legalises football pools but prohibits the printing and sale of lottery tickets, their importation from Ireland or other countries, or the publication of results. # . It bans all newspaper competitions for forecasts of sporting results not depending on a substantial degree of skill. The only lotteries permitted are club sweeps limited to members, and where all the receipts are paid out, or bazaars, where there are no money prizes. These provisions are to operate from January 1 next. Other sections to come into operation on July 1 next restrict racing on any greyhound track to two days a week, and legalise the totalisator on those tracks as long as bookmakers are present. b\it restrict the totalisator commission to 6 per cent.