AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1923, Page 3

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABX.E ASSOCIATION. BRITAIN PURCHASES BONDS. (Received this dav at 12.45 p.m.) NEAV YORK, June 7. Britain has purchased Liberty bonds and established dollar credits to meet the eighty million dollar instalment of the war debt due on 18th June. SWIMMING RECORD. NEW YORK, June 7. At Los Angeles Duke Kahannmoku swam fifty yards, free style dash, in 22 2-5 secs, a record.

COMPATRIOTS CLUB. [“The Times” Service.] (Received this day at 9.45 a.m.) LONDON, June 7. A meeting of members of the House of Commons and House of Lords decided to revive the Compatriots Club, originally founded by Mr Joseph Chamberlain. It a ill consist, of members in favour of the adoption of a system of Imperial preference. It is thought in view of the forthcoming Imperial Conference, that the present would he a suitable time for a revival. Lord Melbourne will he president.

TRADE CONVENTION SIGNED. LONDON, Juno 7. An Anglo-Afghan trade convention lias been signed at Kabul giving effect to the obligations treaty of November 192:1. THE BETTING TAX. COMMITTEE TAKES EVIDENCE. (Received this dav at 11.45 n.m.) LONDON, June 7. The Betting Tax Committee lias taken evidence. Sir Horace Hamilton elaborating the scheme (cabled 81st May), said the Board suggested a. percentage of, say fen. should be levied oil ail money staked with the bookmaker. In addition to the issuing of bookmakers’ betting office licenses the Board did not propose Government totalisators. Private totalisators would bo treated as being offices, while street betting would remain illegal. Means would be provided whereby, within the limitations of cash betting off the course, would be recognised, controlled and taxed. He believed the present volume of Iretting totalled over £Bh),(XX),000 annually, or fort.v-five shillings per capita of the population. Sir Horace Hamilton estimated the total investments on the course during the 1920 Derby at £1.000,000. The totals at the (fraud National, Manchester Cup, and Kemptou Park had several times apprat-lied £750,000. Ten per cent, of the total of betting investments would yield ten millions yearly. V Replying to the Chairman. Sir Horace Hamilton said that a large staff would not bo necessary to collect the license fees and stamp duties. lie thought that the bookmakers would pass the tax on hy shortening the odds which would affect everybody alike. The bookmakers would not object to ten per cent, on all money staked. Mr Rentoul, a Commoner: Have you ever considered the possibility of taxing the betting in newspapers. Sir H. Hamilton: No. Mr Rentoul: Would the tax he remitted'on scratched horses. Sir H. Hamilton: The Board I eels that the intention is the same whether the horse is scratched or not Sir 11. Hamilton said he thought the cost, of the collection of the tax would not exceed U per cent, Replying to a question whether he suggested the repeal of the law so as to make bets recoverable in the Lav Courts. Sir H. Hamilton said that it was not for them to consider that. Ho declared that credit betting was not illegal, but was not euforeihle in the Courts.

betting commission’. (Received this day ah 0.45 a.m.) LONDON, dune 7. Complete astonishment at the extraordinary amount of betting, was the predominant impression among lneinhers of the Commons Select Committee on betting, after a visit to the- Derby, where they were the guests of the Jockey Club. They confessed that they had no idea of the scale of operations, and regretted it was impossible to devise a scheme whereby the amount of money which changed hands on a course could' he calculated. More than <,W? member was convinced that on a- big day like Derby Day it would he impossible to rolled the tax on the course and that means would have to be devised to collect, through other channe's. Members conscientiously investigated nil aspects of betting, cross-questioned bookmakers and interviewed winning jockpvs. Apparently a. majority did not attempt, to gain first-hand knowledge, though one confessed he lelt » tenner behind.

“AIORNING POST" ARTICI.ES. LONDON, dune .. Tho Australian Press has arranged with the “Morning Post” for the exclusive rights of six articles on Japan and the Problem of the Pacific l*y a special correspondent entrusted with a secret mission of investigation. the articles take a serious view of impeding developments. Publication ml commence on Monday morning.