A DIRECT CHARGE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9845, 25 October 1924, Page 6

A DIRECT CHARGE

Sill E. MUHiHEILGON AND THE GAMING BILL.

NEEDS OF COUNTRY* CHUBS,

-BOOKIES 1 ” INFLUENCE ON STONEWALL.

■ WELLINGTON Oct. 23. Following is km interview with Sir .’Edwin Mitelielson, M.L.C., a SkrAnvn authority on racing, in New Zealand, and president of the AucKlnnd Racing Club. .. ■ . . •Tb would appear, said Sir-lidv. m, ‘'that a large amount of misapprehension exists 'as to the objects imd ucope of the Gaming Amendment Bill now- before. Parliament and it is desirable that the issues shoiild be clearJv understood. The Bill is designed, ic the first place, to increase tlie number of racing and trotting permits for the purpose of affording relief to eertPdiu country clubs, which, uiuior the .existin' 1- conditions..are finding it impossible to carry on. This relief conttists of giving mi extra day to certain of the one-day clubs. These clubs Lave found that to keep and maintain. ■I course safe fur the jockeys taking part, and affording reasoirab.e comfort and convenience for the public, is practically impossible where they are restricted to one day hi tne year. "J.fc must be born in mind that the profits earned by the use of the toialisator do not swell the coffers of racing clubs, they being compelled by cho Rules of Racing to distribute the whole of the year’s totalisator profits, after deducting the cost of workin”" the machine, in stakes for the following year. The only revenue upon which the clubs, can draw for their upkeep, maintenance and administration is that derived from admission tickets, sales of privileges and

nomination and acceptance monies •paid by owners. It- has been forcibly contended that the overhead expeni*cs practically c\it up the whole oi the profits of a one-clay meeting, but that with a second day, a fair margin would be loft and the clubs_ could carry on. Then: there are applications fur permits for new chibs in districts weir entitled to racing privileges, which, at pei-ienr, arc not catered for. Tim Bill will enable such applications to be dealt with on their merits. _ "Metropolitan clubs ami clubs in the larger centres are not asking li'urthe? permits, but it is possible cci- / pin of the two-day country clubs in districts which have had large access of population’ may have claims to increased consideration. Such claims could be dealt with under the provisions of the present Bill. “A further and important provision in the interests of the jockeys hmy ike offer t of enabling a race to be divided in two where a big field is competing. •ft is bard to understand why the Bill should be opposed at all, except bv those who have cousc.ontious objections to racing anil i strongly suspect that behind a, large body of objectors of a different class .is tlte boqkuiakir.'g element which fears the introduction of privileges to the public to invest money on the totalisator by means of telegrams to .secrotai'.cs of stubs. ••Excessive gambling is, doubtless, .P serious evil, bill gambling in some form is inevitable and, under reasonable restrictions, may not do much La rm.

"The public may be assured that the bookmakers are responsible for the greater part of the disgraceful uionevvaliii.'g now going on. The pubtie should also appreciate the fact that from the bookmakers the State i-eeeives no revenue, whereas from the •totalisator' the State takes enormous profits. Out of all monies passing through the machine. 10 per cent, is deducted, of which 7k per cent, goes to the clubs and 2J-per cent, to the •State. But the State comes in again on the dividends paid out. Of the 10 per cent, remaining it deducts a. further 2J per cent, and once more when the stakes are paid it takes o per cent.

“5 am at n loss to conceive how, upon anv asnect ol the matter, there should lie any sympathy with the •book-maker. AVith bis eliminating or •partied elimination the clubs have improved the standard of racing, increased tho ac.ominodation and coinfort- of the public and, generally, uplifted the sport, while, at the same time, the State hr.s derived cumntoiii benefits which, otherwise, would have been unattainable. I believe that. wi!h the ahsep.ee of the booknvaket and the stringent regulations ior tlie exclusion of undesirables, it is generally admitted that racing in New Zealand is conducted in a; manner rejecting tlie highest credit on all cones rued. —-Special.