TRINITY CHURCH DEBATING SOCIETY.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 14 June 1901, Page 3

TRINITY CHURCH DEBATING SOCIETY.

A spirited debate on the subject of the Government receiving revenue through the Totalisator Tax, was held in the 2r.nity Schoolroom last evening. Mr W. D. Edwards opened in the affirmative justifying the action of the Government on toe grounds that it was a tax that was easily collected, and that too from a class Of persons able to afford it. The|totalisator provided the revenue for the support of Jocky Clubs, the up keep and beautify, ing of race courses, the giving of large stakes, and hence the improvement in the breed of race horses. It provided a legitimate method for indulging the gambling spirit of bringing it under control, and the abolition of the totalisator would mean the increase of bookmakers and sweeps. Mr Merrit replied in the negative arguing the subject principally ou moral grounds.

Gambling was a vice and should !be prohibited in all its forms. It was on the increase in these Colonies and was ruining many of our young people. Mercantile trading must not be classed with gambling. We are learning in these days not to look upon anything as happening by chance. There was certainly that when one’person won another person must lose," and the happiness of the winner involved the misery of the loser. There was no necessity to bolster up a noble sport by the Totalisator, and he instanced the Arabs as being able to maintain a breed of horses without resorting to gambling. When the Government recognised tlie vice by prohibiting the Bookmaker, why make an exception in favour of the Tote ?

Both gentlemen made excellent speeches and were ably supported, Mr Edwards by Messrs Foot, Crombie and Rogers. Mr Merrett by Messrs Uddstrom, Scrivener, the Rev. G. W. York and the Yen. Archdeacon Grace.

The voting resulted in a majority of one for the negative.