NEW GAMING BILL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 34, 4 November 1907, Page 5

NEW GAMING BILL.

VIISWS OP, HON. E. MITCHELSON. FAVOURABLE COMMENTS. [ai TELEUKAnt.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] ; Auckland, November 2. A number of gentlemen prominently identified with racing affairs wcro interviewed to-day, on the proposals of the Government ri'itli regard to 'ginning. All approved of the now regulations as being in the interests of both the sport and the community. The clause abolishing the "one-two"'dividend'sys-tem nt present in vogue met with espeiial approval, and the Government has boon go'iorally commended for its cAdeavour to restrict betting to those actually on the course. "1 heartily approve of the now Bill," said the Hon. K. Mitcliclson, president of tl o Auckland ltacing Club, when approached on the question, "and I hopo to see it passed into huv without delay." "How do you think the system of closing the totalisator live minutes boforo tho advertised tune of starting a race will work?" "Well, I am quite satisfied that it will work satisfactorily, and as a matter of fact tho, Auckland Racing Club had decidod to ndopt that system prior to the publication of the'Bill." • ■•..-. : ' "The clause relating to street betting was suggested by myself in a letter to tho Premior," continued Mr. Mitchelson. "I'ou see, tho polico have now no power to prevent street betting, and if wo olosed tho machines five minutes boforo tho start of oach raco they could stand on the roadway botwecn the course and the. platform and reap a rich harvest. The clause ieferred •to will prevent this, in addition to doing away with betting in the streets when raeos arc proceeding elsewhere. 1 quito approve of tho limitation of the number of dividends on, each raco to one. That systom is proferablo to the present "one-two" method. Tho double totalisator found little favour with tho Auckland llacing Club, and was only in uso during one season. I am also fully in accord with tho action of tho Government in making it illegal for clubs to act on telegraphic instructions icgarding investments." ■ , ■

A woll-known bnrristcr who takes a strong interest in racing and other sports, on being asked his views on. the proposed changes, said ,jic was entirely in accord with *ho proposed provisions with regard to gaming houses, but expressed somo misgivings as to the clause making all games of chance unlawful. He thought; this altogether «o sweeping. Difficulties would arise as to interpretation, and there wcro practically no games in which to somo extent tho element of cliimco did not enter. 'Streot hotting, ho was pleased to see, was to ho rigorously put down. The streot betting dono in all tho principal cities until a short timo agoamo.intoil to a grave scandal. During raoo meetings' in other parts of New Zealand certain parts of Auckland streets wero fairly thronged by men and hoys who should have boon ut work. Retting advertisements wore proporly prohibited. Personally, ho was of opinion that thcro should bo nothing permitted to entice or allure persons to bet. As long us betting was confined to tho totalisator on the course for the half-hour or so before tho race, and was by moans of cash, not credit, bo thought very little lnirm conl'l be done, and all tho restriction that could reasonably be asked for was achieved. He. had always been against the double machine, considering it little better than running t. Tiittorsiill's sweep, and beneath the dignity of a metropolitan racing club.