“A HARSH SENTENCE.”

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1924, Page 4

“A HARSH SENTENCE.”

TELEGRAPHIST SENT TO GAOL. AUCKLAND, March 11. To-night’s “Star” says:--At the I’(slice Court this morning a young man who was convicted of undertaking to make a bet for a. fellow-employee was sentenced to n term of seven days’ imprisonment. He uas in the Government service, and the prosecution entailed the loss of his position. 'Phis in itself is no light punishment, and to brand him as a criminal by a term in gaol is harsh tieatment. While tho State legalises the tolalisatur, betting is surely an offence and not a crime. Juries have recognised this in icfusiny to bring in a verdict of guilty in the case of bookmakers operating on a

large scale, even where the evidence has been perfectly clear. At every sitting of the Supreme Court we see persons convicted of theft and other serious criminal offences admitted to probation, and yet a young married man ot twenty-three, who has a wife and child, is imprisoned for making a bet or bets for liis associates. Anyone who has any knowledge of racing knows that there are numerous hook-makers in this city who openly carry on the business of betting on an extensive scale. It is their source of livelihood and they profit handsomely, tint they are passed by, and a youth wlio has lost his position through making a bet and has in any case to make a. fresh start in life, is seized by the police and a Magistrate sends him to gaol. There is something very wrong here. Those who hold this. Particular enactment of Parliament up to contempt go scotl free, and an individual who i.irely in fringes the Act, receives the criminal brand. If the Justice Department find that they are incapable of enforcing this law, the sooner the Legislature abolishes the penalty of imprisonment for its broach, the bettor. In the meantime this particular case should be investigated by tho Department.