THE GAMING BILL

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIV, Issue 2390, 30 October 1924, Page 6

THE GAMING BILL

OBJECTS BEHIND IT. SIR E. MITCHELSON EXPLAINS. An explanation of the objects of ih.o Gaming Bill "was given by Sir Edwin Mitchelson on Thursday night last. He said the Bill was designed in the'first place to give an extra day to certain country clubs which were finding it impossible to carry on under existing conditions. It had to be remembered that the clubs drew nothing from the profits of the totalisator, of which they were compelled to distribute the whole in stakes for the following year. The only revenue which they had to meet their expenses was derived from admission tickets, sale of privileges, and nomination and acceptance fees. It had been contended that overhead expenses ate up the entire profits of a one-day meeting, but a second day would leave a fair margin. Metropolitan clubs and clubs in the larger centres were not asking for further permits, but it was possible that certain two-day clubs, -where there was a large access of population, might have claims to increased consideration, which could be dealt with under the Bill. Sir Edwin thought it hard to understand why the Bill should be opposed at all except by those with conscientious objections to racing. He strongly suspected that the bookmakers were responsible for the disgraceful stonewalling in the House. The public should appreciate the fact that from the bookmaker the State received no revenue, whereas from the totalisator it took enormous prolits. He was at a loss to conceive how, upon any aspect of the case, there should be any sympathy with the bookmaker, with his elimination.