SHOULD GAMBLING BE LIMITED

Chronicle (Levin), 28 March 1947, Page 6

SHOULD GAMBLING BE LIMITED

-Press Association

COMMISSION HEARS TARANAKI REQUESTS

By Telegrapti-

NEW PLTMOUTH, March 27. The Gaming Commission opened a two days' sitting at New Plymouth today when submissions were made. on behalf of the Taranaki Jockey Club, Taranaki and Hawera and Wanganui Trotting Clubs, Stratford Racing Club, Taranaki Hunt Club and Taumarunui Picnic and Hack Racing Club. The main submissions were requests for oxtra racing permits, the Taranaki Jockey Club asking for two per year, Hawera and Taranaki Trotting Clubs five between thern, and Wanganui two. Mr. C. A. Thomas represented the New Zealand Trotting Conference and Mr. R. S. V". Simpson the New Zealand Racing Conference,

"You miglit have a situation that encourages the gambler to dip deeper and deeper," said the chairman, Mr. Justice Finlay, in -dicussing the appl'ication for extra permits at New Plymouth. Recalling that the earlier Commission had considered that the totalisator turiiover then of £1,250,000 was exce^sive for New Zealand, he pointed out that today the betting turnover, ineluding wagers with bookmakers, w;as £44,000,000. Yet on the one liand tho Racing and Trotting conferenees were each asking for extra days of racing while on the other the Commission was faced with the view expressed before it •that there should be no greater faciiities for gambling. The Commission had not made up its mind on the point but it was a question that was rapidly evolving. Mr. C. S. Thomas said he did not think the granting of extra days would mean more betting. They would be spread if there would be a clashing of days. The Commission suggested it might mean more off-course betting. Mr. Thomas: When you see the posi- • tion in other countries it is going to'be a brave mah who today will say wliat the limit of betting should be. He suggested it might be argued that. the opinions of the Commission of 1921-22 were out of date. His Honour said that so far only the churches had given evidence suggesting that gatubling facilities should be

limited. The Commission 's function was to advise the Government what legislation was required. The question that arose was whether a point could be reached where the Gover.nment should suppress gambling in the interests of the public good. Both the Racing and Trotting • Conferenees should consider that aspect of the matter. A point raised by Mr. J. Heenan, a member of the Commission, was whether the time had arrived for the stabilisLtion of stakes with a view to clubs putting " aside something for reserves. "It is .becoming obvious *in the'case of some country clubs," the chairman eommented, "that the stakes were beginping to be al together excessive. Horses that would be eontent to run for £250 were running for £750." Mr. Heenan said reserves should be created to keep the stakes up if _an economic reeission arrived.