TOTALISATOR PERMITS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 February 1925, Page 3

TOTALISATOR PERMITS

-MR BULLA ID/ AT TARANAKI. Some interesting observations on the distribution of racing permits, the bookmaker evil, and the provision ol better racing facilities by means ol the amalgamation ol racing clubs or by the mutual use of one course by several clubs, were made by the Hon. F. Bollard (Mini-tor of Internal Affairs), when replying to deputations from the Taranaki Joekev Club and the Taranaki Trotting. Club, which waited on him at New Plymouth on Saturday night. Repudiating responsibility for the present distribution ol permits among the racing districts, a distribution which had been made before lie took office. .Mr Bollard said that if it was at all 'possible, lie wanted to give to the country districts the ,/ x 1 I'll permits authorised, by Parliament last year. A better distribution of the pel mils was wanted throughout the < min try. Be thought lie could regulate thing- a little better and that without causing any great friction. The Racing Conference was doing good work, and could do belter still if all the little points were brought to its not ice.

“There is only one tiling 1 do .not like,” said the Hun. 11. F. Bullard at New Plymouth, 'bind that, i the menace the bookmaker has become to the Dominion. The bookmaker was a very difficult man to suppress. They might not he able to eliminate him altogether, hut lie thought- it was passible to push him well to one side. Instead of putting money on with a bookmaker, investors should have the privilege of being able to wire mono) to the totulisator. lie was in favour of that and was also of the publication of dividends.” Air Bollard also thought that the clubs should he able to run two “double totes.” Reference was made to the practice of pome hookmakers in giving credit to youthful hackers who, when they lost, were strongly tempted to steal. The number of bookmakers’ agents carrying on in the workshops, offices, iiml factories also made the menace more dangerous. Some of the racing districts and some of the towns, also, have too

many permits, according to views ex piesscd by the lion R. F. Bollard ;

New Plymouth. Again, in his opinion, there were cell I res where there were two or more racing clubs, which would provide better sport, and belter facilities if they amalgamated. If they would nut amalgamate, why could not they arrange to improve and use the best course in the centre rather than distribute their money over several courses ‘i He knew of an instance where a Club, which considered it had outgrown iis present accommodation. was preparing to spend £IOO.OOO on a new course almost over the fenc e I ruin the course belonging to another club. That new course would he used ,ml\ lour days a year. He did not think spending money in such a way was in the best interest of the country. The tw o clubs com cruel should come to mi arrangement regarding tlie use o, one or other of their courses. Another point made h.v Mr Bollard was with regard to continuous racing carnivals. He did not think that lhe.se "ere good for any city, lie would far lather that the racing he spread over the year. One centre which cunducl ed several days’ racing on '.'lid wanted a permit for two days’ racing in winter. hut he had told them they wouU’ do better to alter the dates of tlmii racing. The Minister added that a. statement setting out the distribution of the extra permits would he made in a few days.

It was intended next session to ><• introduce the clause dealing with the percentage of the tmali.sator turno\et taken bv the (fovernmont (staled the Minister of Internal Affairs at New PlvnioutlD. At present the Government took ill per cent, of the receipts, hut he thought, and Air Alassoy agreed with him. that Die Government should take only H per cent, and that the other 1V should lie handed to the racing dubs to be used on grounds improvements. A clause to this effect had l,oeii introduced in the Finance Bill last session, but after wlmt had happened with the Gaining Bill the 1 tion had not been forced. Air Bollard said that the clause would he put in a. Bill next session, and he did not think there would he any trouble about it. The adoption of the proposal would l !; , of verv great assistance to the cliihs