BETTING-WHICH WAY?

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1340, 18 January 1912, Page 5

BETTING-WHICH WAY?

MACHINE OR WHAT? THE TOTALISATOR COMMISSION. TALK WITH PRESIDENT. Having concluded its sitting in PalmerBton North, the New South Wales Totalisator Commission camo on to Wellington yesterday, and will take evidence here to-day and to-morrow. The Commission consists of Mr. E. H. Lcvie'n, M.L.A., president, father uf tho State .Assembly; Hon. B. B. O'Connor, late Minister for Education; Hon. W. M'Court, M.P., late Speaker; Hon. James Wilson, M.L.A.; Mr. Robt. Hollis, M.L.A.; and Mr. Henry Peters, M.L.A. Mr. Christie, Sergeant-at-Arrns of the legislative Assembly, is secretary to the Commission, and information may bo'obtained from him during the -Wellington sitting. Mr. Lyne. accompanies the Commission as shorthand writer. The Premier of New South Wales has been in communication with Sir Joseph Ward, and the Government will arrange accommodation for the local sittings, but, »s final arrangements had not besn completed yesterday afternoon, the hour of opening had not been fixed. The president expressed the hope last evening that thoso who are favourable to the establishment and maintenance of the totalisator will come forward to give evidence; nlso those (including ministers of religion) who are opposed to it, so that the Commission will have the fullest ovideuce to present to the Parliament of New South Wales. How the Evidence Has Gone. Discussing tho work of the commission top to tho present stage, Mr. Levien said that already thirty odd witnesses had been examined, and .tho preponderance of evidence shows in favour of the totalisator. Raciug men of .high position in the Dominion, secretaries, stewards, and breeders have attended before the commission, and they aro all strongly in favour of tho totalisator as against the bookmaker. In one or two cases it was found that there were some who were favourable to the bookmaker. At Auckland, for instance, Mr. Glover, M.P., supported a continuation of the bookmaker, and, in Palmerston North, one witness was in favour of tho bookmaker plying his calling so as to enablo the large owner (if 60 disposed) to bet with him. But this witness had qualified his statement by admitting that the totalisator was ,the cleaner method of betting, as cash waa preferable to the credit system. Another witness, who considered that the bookmaker should bo allowed to exist, was of opinion that he should not bo allowed to lay tho odds on the racecourse itself. Witnesses holding high standing on the Racing Conference as well as others asBociated with that body put forward (as reasons for preferring the totalisator to the bookmaker) that it was the nieans of raising the stakes to a substantial amount, and that it encouraged a better class of horses. They also pointed out, in giving evidence, that their, courses in this Dominion were not only for racing, but were pleasure resorts, and many went there to have a day's enjoyment without indulging in a bet at all. Moreover, although great numbers attended, the crowds were quiet and maintained good order, while they were particularly noted for their sobriety. This latter feature was confirmed by Inspector Cullcn, of the Auckland police. The Cleaner Way of Betting. "Summing it all up," said Mr. Levien, "the absolute preponderance of evidence showed that the totalisator was tho cleaner way of betting, for not only did the machine mako its own odds, but the people, by their investments, did so. And, ns one wibiess had put it, it was evident that the public agreed to invest'in'that ■way becauso it was the better way. Every Kind of Witness Wanted. ' "The Commission is extremely anxious to get' all the evidence possible froni a betting point of view, and also from a social and . religious point of ■ view, in order to lay it clearly before the NewSouth Wales Parliament, and so enable it to come to a proper decision as to what ought to be done on this much vexed question." "As for myself," continued the president of the Commission, "I wish to say this. The fact must not be lost sight o"f that the Dominion and New South Wales and also the other States of the Commonwealth have legalised betting on racecourses. And, having gono that far, I think that it must bo admitted that we ought to ascertain which is tho cleaner, the bettor and the safer way of investing; At prosent, being president of the Commission, I shall not venture an opinion." Further Mr. Levien stated that the other members' opinions would not bo available, but, when they had deliberated, and had prepared the report, then their- undivided opinion would be known. Ho considered that, when the evidence was complete, with the report attached, it would bo of great assistance to tho Dominion as well as to New South Wales. Commission Goes to Queensland. The it appears, will require an extension, of time, as from here the members will journey to Queensland —tho only State whore bookmaker and totalisator are legally in competition. The president wishes to take the opportunity to thank tho press of New Zealand for assistance rendered, and also the various witnesses who have come forward. "Docs your Bill provide for Government inspectors for tho totalisators?" asked tho reporter as he was leaving. "My Bill in New South Wales does provide for inspection by the Government. But the evidence so far before us goes undoubtedly to prove that tho jockey clubs have so fairly and honestly managed the machine that there is no fault on that score." Do ; yon visit Trentham? '*We shall be at tho races on Saturday and Monday for observation I purposes/' replied the president, "but we have already, a clear idea of tho working, of tho machine. Earl Mount-Casholl, of Bervl, Somerset, an unmarried Irish Peer, "to whos« title there is no present heir, celebrated his eighty-second birthday on December 1. n ounded by a poisoned arrow, a Nepalese accompanying the British expedition against the Abor savages in North-East Assam has died of his injury.