Sporting Review. THURSDAY MAY 12, 1892.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume II, Issue 94, 12 May 1892, Page 5

Sporting Review. THURSDAY MAY 12, 1892.

“Vanity of vanities,” said the wise man ; “all is vanity.” This remark was made use of many thousands of years ago, and still the world seems to wag on in much the same way that it did then, and there would appear to exist the same reasons nowadays for the reiteration of < the same words by some of our reputed “ wise men.” The modern rendering, however, of the remark might be made to read “ gamble of gambles ; all is gambling. Perhaps so. Lately “ knights of the pulpit,” and certain sections of the “press,” have been inveighing very strongly against the growth of the passion for gambling in our midst, and have felt called upon to denounce it in unmeasured terms, and in no uncertain tone of voice. What has led to the rapid growth of this dreadful evil ? In casting about for some tangible reason, it does not appear difficult to trace its origin and increase. In the last issue of this paper one of our contributors drew attention to the pressing necessity which had arisen in Victoria for a modification of the Rules of Racing, so as to enable clubs to meet the shortages

arising from the time of depression through which the various colonies are now passing. It is a noteworthy fact that in such times of depression every business or profession — whether commeri ial, racing, preaching, or any other--feels that depression in a greater or less degree. It is also further noticeable that competition in all these branches becomes keener, in order to “ keep afloat ” during such times. As a natural consequence we find a growing inclination on the pait of the chief actors to revert to “ trickery ” and “ deception ” of all kinds, which develops into a method of procedure that can be termed nothing but “ pure and simple gambling.” In fact everything that is not legitimate, straight-forward, and aboveboard becomes a system of “ gambling.” What can the keen business competitions, land speculations and bankrupticies of late years be called but gambling of the worst type, or the inevitable result of it. Corruption and swindling is carried on to a far greater extent in the racing world at present than perhaps at any previous period of its history. But we fail to be persuaded to take such a hopeless view of the matter or the question of gambling as has been done during recent times by the particular exponents of various orthodox doctrines or creeds. We prefer at all times viewing the “ silver lining,” rather than the “ seamy and dark side of the cloud hence our reference to the subject on this occasion. Is not the whole problem of life one continuous “gamble?” Is not every section of the community just simply carrying on a process of cannibalism by “ living on each other ?” Does not the prosperity of the one depend on the success of the other ? No person can calmly look upon the picture and gainsay the fact. Then why such pessimistic, outcry against the concomitant evils of seasons of deaith, poverty, and depression. The extra acuteness of the gambling rage is only felt so much more strongly just now because of the keenness of competitions in all professions and trades ; and the racing, betting, and gambling world have only been stirred into sharper action from a similar cause to that which has worked upon others. If it is desirable to arouse a man from lethargy into activity, just touch his pocket —the effect will be magical. We are therefore inclined to think that some such cause is the reason for the extra zeal displayed by the parties mentioned in the beginning of this article. Evidently their funds are being affected —that is, “ their pockets are touched ” —by reason of bad times, and now they are forced into taking up for discussion subjects concerning political and social questions, which it was their duty to have watched for, warned and guarded against long ago. But they omitted or neglected to do so. Everything was prosperous ; money was plentiful, and a sort of feeling of “ Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof ” seemed to pervade the whole community from the church downward. We are constrained to remark, “ Fools! you have been sowing tares all these years, and how do you expect to reap wheat now.” In all this mad career even the church was not free from a certain species of gambling prosperity in shape of gift auctions, soirees, bazaars, etc., whereby they might “ make haste to become rich.” But now the scene is altered, and it would seem too late to effect any radical change in the present aspect of affairs except by ordinary process of time. Throughout pur career we have invariably drawn attention to abuses within our particular sphere. We have even pointed out the necessity of careful administration of certain affairs in order to avoid drifting into such a state as to necessitate a certain resort to “swindling” and “trickery” in order to “keep up appearances ” later on. Take the almost daily recurrence of “ crooked running,” “reversal of form,” etc., which we meet with at many of our race meetings. Does it not point to the fact that the whole thing is overdone ? And what is the inevitable result in all such eases ? Why most undoubtedly the same as with all the other professions and trades mentioned, viz., that excessive swindling, gambling, and roguery must be the eventual outcome to stave off “ the evil day.” All social excesses and abuses invariably work out their own cure, and we quite expect history will repeat itself in this case, and that as this and the other colonies emerge from the depression and rise again to a period of affluence and wealth, the hitherto glaring excesses of gambling in all its different

phases will completely outgrow itself, and finally disappear on the approach of returning prosperity. The corruption in racing and bettingcircles is as a “ drop in the ocean ” compared with the existing state of affairs in America and elsewhere. We would, in conclusion, strongly advise the daily practice and application of the time-honoured adage “ Live and let live;” feeling perfectly assured under the circumstances that the time is close at hand when the consummation of our wishes will be an ackuowged fact.