GAMBLING AND THE BOOKMAKERS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 832, 30 July 1910, Page 10

GAMBLING AND THE BOOKMAKERS.

Sir,—Many' years ago when, horse-rac-ing was first established in this country, the horses were owned by men who went in for the mere sport ot it. The stakes were small,' and betting was seldom more than a guinea by men, and a pair of gloves by ladies. In many eases owners were up, and 1 have seen Sir K. W. Stafford, then Jlr. Stafford, his brother Hugh, Colonel White, Jlr. G. l>uppa, and others riding their own horses. At one timo Calcutta sweeps were allowed, also sweeps amongst' tho people at tho races, generally half-a-crown. I can confidently say that at that time there was no gambling. By gambling I mean tho desire to make money by means of betting. Some of the finest horses that wero ever bred in the colony were raced in those days, and tho sport was a geuuino one—the losses small, and what people could afford. When' the totalisator was introduced, those who objected to it were informed that racing could not 'be carried on without' it, and racing tended to improve the breed of horses The latter I very much doubt. Now that motorcars have come into such general uso, and are more and more likely to, tho liso for riding and carriage horses must decrease, and therefore there will not bo any need lo continue racing so as lo improve the breed of horses. Will any one deny that there can be just ns much sport, and the breed of horses can be just as well kept up, if betting was prohibited? The class of horse which we had in tho old days has quickly gone down, and with the advent of the bookmaker, the class of individuals who own and run, most at all events, of the second-rate horses, have developed into nothing but parasites. It would'really be interesting to know who ere the owners of the horses that arc run at the different race meetings in the Dominion,, and what their occupations are.

If I am fond of a game of billiards and play n game with a friend, wc cannot even bet. a penny on the result of the game. All who know it-can snfely say that it is a clean game, and ono in

which skill is required. The same with tennis, football, and all other games. Yet tho law allows, at all events in most cases, 11 set of men of a contemptible type, to batten on tho public with Impunity:

Why cb not the electors in each electorate hold meetings to find out the feeling with regard, at all events, to the bookmaker, and pass a resolution calling upon their representative to vote jot their Abolition when the matter comes before Parliament, 1 look upon yam bling, and it is rapidly increasing, duo without doubt to racing, as a worse evil than drink.. Drink rarely affects moro than a few, but gambling affects thousands. Hundreds of young people when they see a drunken man or woman aro disgusted that they mako up their minds to abstain from strong waters. Unfortunately, t'lio reverse is the case with gambling. They sec or hear of a lucky and aro tempted to follow; result, in a groat number of instance?, tho public receiving-home. There are hundreds of people who play golf; they are contented to play for the amusement and exorcise. Same with all other outdoor games. Why can't racing bo the same? Why should racing be the only sport in which ono caD legally gamble? Let all the young people of the country carefully read Judge Chapman's remarks on gambling, and it the bookmaker does not get his quietus this session, and the totalisator the next one, then when the general election comca round, put out those who voted for their continuance. Let that be the most imDortant question to be put to candidates. Somebody, said that if there were no bookmakers people would still bet. That is nonsense, as there would be no persons to bet with.—l am, etc., PAIiA'SITES ■ BEWARE.