TOTALIZATOR PERMITS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 66, 11 December 1919, Page 11

TOTALIZATOR PERMITS

CIRCULAI? TO CANDIDATES FOR PARLIAMENT. The Board of Control of the New Zealand Sports Protection Leitene, nt a meeting held on Tues-ltiy. "decided to send tne following circular to all candidates for Parliament:— "Denr Sir,—A circular letter has been forwarded ,by tho Ohristclinrch- Council of Churches to candidates for Parliament urging them to oppose an increase of totalizator permits. While it is not tho intention of (he league fo ask you at this stage to support such increase, I Jim instructed by tfi? Bop.rd of Control to suggest that it would be inexpedient tn pfive tho pledgo asked by the Council of Churches, which will deprive you of that valuable liberty of action should you at any time be nslcyd to vote upon tho question. I might say for your information that the po-ition so far as il; concerns trotting- is that' there are 53 licenses issued, -10 to the South Island and ID to tho North Island. The sport is gaining in popularity, and has provqd its usefulness in ditricts wlier? it is well established. It is clear that the North Island is inadequately provided •with privileges, ana it may be that the T rotting Confereneo will be abb to show irresistible reasons whv an should bo granted. Our'view is that the conditions _on which the question is in bo_ determined hav? not yet been, ascertained ; and that it would be wrong for a candidate to preclude from exercising a wholesome freedom of action when the conditions are rip? for determination. The question appears art jpittedlv to he one only of degree. In view <){ these facls I am instructed tn urge you not to givo anv such pljdge as (hat asked for by the Council of Churches. Iho leapue of course approves of every effort mn<Jo lo limit or abolish tho business of the bookmaker."