Gambling and Tattersall's Sweeps.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11999, 17 October 1906, Page 7

Gambling and Tattersall's Sweeps.

TO THJ! XOITOB. Sir, — In view of the discussion which ia going on at present re gambling, I should like you to kindly reproduce a letter which appeared in a recent issue of the Sydney Telegraph. There is much in the letter which will appeal to all rational beings. The writer, who signs himself "Vox Populi," says: — "I am 'One of the People,' and I contend that gambling, or whatever you like to call it, is inherent in the blood of the majority of AngloSaxons and Anglo-Australians, and, when indulged in as a recreation, can never be eradicated by legislation, because it interferes with the rights of the subject ; but when recreation is a secondary consideration, and it comes to 'living on the game,' gambling becomes a. malignant cancer in our midst, and requires the knife, and I join with all right-thinking people in encouraging our legislators in their surgical work. lam with! Mr Wade heart and soul in his efforts to put down this plethora of racing, betting clubs, tote shops, and street betting. They have ever been a menace to the community, but I invariably

notice our would-be reformers somehow or other generally manage to 'miss the 'bus' of universal public approval. They rightly restrict betting to the racecourse, but to my mind they should go further and legalise the totalisator, which is the fairest system of wagering, and the profits accruing from same benefit the racing club, the horse owner or breeder, and should be also devoted to public charities. But to .make it illegal to purchase a ticket in Tattersall's sweeps brings the welcome reform into odium. There is no abuse there. You might just as well prosecute a boy for playing marbles. Personally I cannot afford to visit the racecourse, so I get rid of my gambling propensity by taking a chance in Tattersall's sweeps, and I want to know where the harm comes in ? I have been to Hobart, and have witnessed the drawinga, and have come away impressed with the absolute fairness of the whole thing, and I am satisfied when I invest my five shillings that I have a fair go for my money. No one thinks of plunging in Tattersall's sweeps; the odds are too tremerdous; so nobody is ruined. I have heard it argued that youths pilfer from their employers, even to taking stamp money to obtain tickets, but I take it that if built that way the young clerk will dip into the till to enable him to take a ticket for the theatre or to gratify any other pleasure he could not ordinarily afford. I conclusion, I would argue if the rich man can gamble on the racecourse with impunity, in the name of equity leave Tattersall's sweeps to the sport who cannot afford to bet. It is a harmless vent. I know of many a man who takes an occasional ticket, hoping his luck may be in to give him a start in life, or to enable him to take a trip to the Old Country to see the old folks at home, and good luck to him, I say." Thanking you in anticipation for the insertion of the above, — I am, etc., "SENTINEL."