BOOKMAKERS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 866, 12 July 1910, Page 6

BOOKMAKERS.

HOSTILE OPINION GROWING. ' SERIES OF RESOLUTIONS. (By Telegraph—Special Correspondent.) Masterton, July 11. At tho local Methodist Church yesterday, a circular was read from the Wellington Citizens' Anti-Gambling League, and a resolution was unanimously carried by the congregation viewing with alarm tho prevalence of gambling throughout tho Dominion, and earnestly supporting tho league in its effort to induce the Government to introduce legislation to abolish bookmakers during the present session of Parliament. A CHAMBER OP COMMERCE. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Christchurch, July 11. A deputation representing the Ministers' Association and locul business men waited on tho council of tho Canterbury Chamber of Commerce this afternoon to .•v'k the council to urge tho Government u' abolish legalised bookmakers. The Revs. R. S. Gray and W. J. L. Closs, and Messrs. A. P. Carey and J. D. Hall spoke in support of the deputation's request. Tho council of the chamber, after discussing tho representations of the deputation, arrived at the following resolution: "That, in- tho opinion/ of tho council of tho Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, the legalising of bookmakers should be abolished, and that- all betting on racecourses and public streets bo made a misdemeanour, without the option of a lino." It was further decided to forward a copy of the resolution to Chamber of' Commerce, with a request to bring it under tho notice of the Prime Minister next Monday, when tho AntiGambling League's deputation waits on hiro. (By Telesranb—Press Association.) Dunedin, July 11. At a meeting of the committee of the Chamber of Commerce to-day,. a motion was adopted opposing the licensing of bookmakers, and urging the Government to repeal the legislation making, provision. for affording them.legal recognition. MINISTERS' ASSOCIATION. Oamaru, July 11. At a meeting of tho Oamaru Ministers' Association to-day, it was decided to support the movement for the abolition of tho license to bookmakers, tho meeting being convinced that such a step is called for in tho best interests of the community. Tho meeting also resolved to request tho Prime Minister to introdueo legislation to prohibit kinematograph displays of tho Johnson-Jeffries prize fight. IN THE CHURCHES. Christchurch, July 11. In the Methodist and Baptist Churches yesterday resolutions were carried urging the Prime Minister to make the bookmakers' trade illegal, and requesting that the people be given an early opportunity of expressing their opinion on the totalisator. Dunedin, July 11. The Church ,of Christ yesterday carried resolutions supporting the suppression of bookmakers, and in favour of the abolition of the totalisator. Wanganui, July 11. The Wanganui Council of Churches tonight passed a resolution sympathising with the anti-gambling movement, and tho effort which is being made to bring about* the repeal of the Gaming Act, ni so "far as tho licensing of bookmakers is concerned. ' MOTIONS AT PETONE. After service at the Petone Methodist Church on Sunday night, the Rev. A.. J. Seamer put the following motion, which was carried unanimously That, inasmuch as it is the duty of the State to attend closely to'the' moral and social welfare of the community, and true men of every shade of religious and .. political opinion recognise the demoralisation wrought by legalised gambling, the members of tliis church and congregation earnestly request the Government to so legislate as to destroy, in so far ss legislation may, this demoralising vice. Further, that we request our own' M.P. to put the moral and social welfare of the community before the financial interests of racing or other clubs, and by both voice and vote do his ulmost to rid us of tho curso of the legalised bookmaker and totalisator. A further motion, brought up by the officers of the Wesley Young Men's Institute, and - also unanimously carried, read as follows That we, the members and congregation of this church, urge the Government to prohibit the exhibition ill New Zealand of any moving pictures representing the Johnson-Jeffries fight or any portion of that brutal contest, and so by such prohibition, prevent the degradation of our national moral standard which should be, and is, far above pandering to the vicious tastes of the few who are so uncivilised and unchristian as to delight in such scenes of brutality. \\e surest' that a copy of this resolution be svnt to the member for the district, and also to the Prime Minister.