The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 5, 1927. THE GAMING AMENDMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 5, 1927. THE GAMING AMENDMENT.

The Gaming Amendment Bill introduced to Parliament by Sir G. Hunter, is not the contentious measure of last session, but consists of three short clauses, all seeking to re-enact matters which formerly were legal. One proposes to repeal Section 2S ot the principal Act, which would have the effect of allowing totalisator investments to be telegraphed to the secretary of a racing club under control of which the race meeting is being held. It is proposed to remove the restriction on publication of dividends, and also authorise (as was formerly the case) the use of a double totalisator. Questioned by a correspondent regarding the prospects of his modified bill, Sir G. Hunter stated with confidence that there is a large majority of the House pledged to support all its clauses. He had purposely refrained from including any of the contentious matter which formerly prevented its passage. For instance, though strongly urged to do so, he had refrained, in the interests of the bill from including a clause limiting the number of races in any day, or increasing the amount of refund made by tire Government out of totalisator dividends for the purposes of course improvements. During the recess a deputation had asked the

Prime Minister to introduce legislation amending the Gaining Art . \\ bile declining the Prime Minister had undertaken to give facilities f ir its consideration by Parliament if a measure were introduced by a private member. “The Pacing Conference and the Sports’ Protection League’’ added Sir (i. Hunter, “asked me to Take charge of the hill, and. with this assurance 1 took the first opportunity of placing it on the Order Paper." This measure if adopted will be of considerable relief to the racing and trotting clubs of the Dominion, and it i.s to be hoped in the interests of clean and healthy sport that the bill will be passed. Both sports as conducted in New Zealand arc most excellently managed.

turf parliament which sits annually devotes much time and thought to the perfection of the rules of racing and trotting, so that all interests will be conserved, and the sport condoe’ -'I such a Way that everything will he above suspicion. There is no doubt the clubs arc menaced more seriously by the bookmaking fraternity. Although bonkmaking is illegal and heavy lines are imposed on those taken to court, the ramifications of the bookmakers are truly wonderful, and large sums of money, which should bo used through the legalised machine arc utilised in other directions which are not of any benefit in the maintenance of the sport,. It is manifest that the sport must go on in New Zealand. That being so, the best should he done for all concerned by its proper management and control to protect alike the public, the owners and all engaged in the pastime. The sport is the means of the circulation of much money in the Dominion, and it is in the interests of the community that the sport should he clean. The excellent conduct of the race meetings falls primarily on a few who sacrifice much time and thought to carry through popular meetings the success of which reilect themselves through all branches of trade. To carry on successfully there must ho assured revenue for the clubs responsible* for the upkeep of the racecourses, and the provision of stakes which arc to requite owneis for their enterprise in breeding anil training horses of the right stamina to assure high class sport. It lias been palpable over many years that the illicit trading of the hook makers lias been undermining the* income of tile dubs, and that fact indirectly affects the fortunes of those who enjoy racing whether owners or onlookers. The more assured the finances of file clubs, the better the courses and conveniences, the larger the stakes, and the more assured the maintenance of the sport, it will he a good thing therefore to see the clubs placed in a position whereby they may enjoy facilities for business which are now prohibited to them, hut which arc used by bookmakers very openly t:> the detriment of the Clubs and the sport itself. One method of ousting the bookmaker will he the Bill now before Parliament, and any step ill that direction is of the highest moral value to the community as a whole. Some of the churches in their blind infatuation are passing the usual plethora of resolutions. playing directly into the hands of the bookmaker at a very critical stage in the proposal. The action shows the palpable misjudgment of what is really at stake in this matter, which is after all quite of national interest.