CHECKING THE BOOKMAKER

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 34, 4 November 1920, Page 4

CHECKING THE BOOKMAKER

1 POLICE REPORTED TO BE MOVING MINISTER "REQUIRES LAW ENFORCED

The business of the bookmaker was declared, unlawful early in the present session of Parliament. The Gamin* ' Amendment Act, as introduced by tlio Minister of Internal Affairs and passed by the Legislature, was stated to have for its purpose tho complote suppression of bookmakers. Tho law provides that (iny person following the calling of a bookmaker shall' bo liable to a fine of .£SOO and two years' imprisonment, while a person making a bet with u bookmaker may be filled j!100 and imprisoned for one month. Tho clauses of tho Act are drastic. "Tho bookmakers themselves make a boast that it is impossible to devise a scheme that will prevent them carrying 011 their calling," 6aid the Minister in. introducing nia Bill. "They may be of that opinion, but at any rate jve arc going to have a trial of strength to see whether' tho Stato can regulate or stop their efforts, or whether they are so > powerful they can laugh tho whole of our efforts to scorn."

Since this Aot came into operation bookmakiug seems to have proceeded in all parts of, Now Zealand as usual. No bookmaker has been prosccuted under the Act, and tho citizen who wished to invest his pound or two has had as little difficulty as formerly-in placing-hie money. Tlie distribution of betting cards" has continued without apparent check. Botting telegrams, which are illegal, have been sont in more or less disguised forms. Bookmakers and their clients have continued to make use of tho telephones. The apparent failure of tlw new, legislation to check bookmalcniß was mentioned' in the House of llepresenlatives tho othei; day, and the Minister of Justice (the Hon. h. P. statod that he had conferred with theCommissioner of Police and had issued instructions to the Police Department tlmt the law was to be enforced. The Minister's instructions, wlucli wero issued about two days oro. have gone to members of tho Police lorce throughout New Zealand. They indicate to all the members of the Force, from the senior officers down to the constablw, tniw tho law against bookmakmg is intended by tho Government to bo enforced, lne occupation of the bookmaker is unlawful, wherever it is pursued, and the police are to act accordingly. It apRMW that in Wellington, at any rato, the Minister's instructions have had etiect, since 'some well-known, book-making establishments in this city wgre not -loing business yesterday. The placing of a bet was not impossible, but it was decidedly more difficult than usual.