LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
BOOKMAKERS in plenty. Sir, —In reference to the Gaming Act I would like to ask you if the bookmakers of AVellington are exempt from tlie Act as tliey still carry on business as usual. Double charts are printed as usual and posted all over tho Dominion and the Postal Departments deliver lotters and telegrams to bookmakers over tho counters, even though they have closed some of their P.O. boxes. Also there are six telephones, perhaps more. . that aro used expressly for betting, twe at Newtown, one at Oliiro Road, and threo in the town, that I have got the. numbers of from my friends who spend all their wages oil bookmakers. Somo> of these bookmakers liavo offices. in town, employing several clerks, and another owns and riuis a club expressly, for betting. There aro also fruit shops, tobacconists, and booksellers' shops taking money for _ tlieso bookmakers, getting a commission of Is. in the £ on all business they do. There is also a hotel where you can find a well-known Bookmaker or his clerk every race meeting, doing an extensive business. Now, thqse bookmakers are "bloodWickers" of the worst type, they take money off women and working men who they know cannot afford to bet; without putting themselves into debt. Many fa wife and child has been left destitute through this betting business, ■ yet under our very eyes our Police and Detective Department allow this illegal business to go on. But if a game of "two-up" is played, where the odds aroeven, by a few working men on tlio' wharf for pennies, they are immediately arrested and fined under the Gaming Act. Also these bookmakers pay no tax, while the race clubs have to pay a very heavy tax to carry on their racing business. If these men had any principle they would enlist and co to the front, and take tlieir clerks* and Hangers-on with them, instead of hanging about the streets and hotel doorways giving out their double charts. and race cards, encouraging men to bet who would not do so if these men were not allowed to ply their illegal and unprincipled calling. In conclusion 1 think that if our present detectivei and police have not tho ability to r» move these persons wc ought to have £ ■ change.—l am, etc., ■ " A WORKER.
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Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2687, 5 February 1916, Page 6
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388LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2687, 5 February 1916, Page 6
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