TOTALISATOR PERMITS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2519, 14 July 1915, Page 4

TOTALISATOR PERMITS

SHOULD BACB- BETTING IN WAR '. 'TIME BE KKDUCED.

i A suggestion tliat race .betting might bo diminished by'the reduction of tho number of. totalisator permits during war time was made in tlie House or Representatives yesterday by the member for Christchureh North, Mr. L. M. Isitt, ivlio stated tliat a Hacing Conference was to he held in .the.City that night, and asked the Prime Minister if ho did not think it dosirable that the numbers of racing and trotting meetings should he reduced during tho war. During 1914 tha public invested £4,188,59'! in tho totalisator. Despite the distress entailed by the war, the drain threatens to be greator than ever, He know racing, men , who were desirous of such restriction, and lio thought that an appeal by the Prime Minister to the patriotism of racing 'men would carry weight. Mr. Massey; Do you desire the Government, to introduco legislation ? Mr. Isitt: I wait an expression of opinion from you. Air. Massey said that ho was informed, on. inquiry, that a Racing Conference was not : being held that' day. However, tho Government had not-lost eight of- the matter. It had been under consideration for some time, but up. to tho presenl legislation had not been introduced nor, permits withhold. It might be necessary to do so later, but it had been been thought desirable up to tho present. ,