GAMING BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1929, Page 1

GAMING BILL

ATTITUDE OF THE CHURCHES.The introduction of ,n Gaming Bill into the House of Representatives by Sir George Hunter was referred to 1 Sir Edwin Mitchelson, president of the Auckland Racing Club, in the course of his address at the annual meeting of that body, and he also 'had something to say concerning the attitude of churches towards the measure. “As you are probably aware, Sir George Hunter has introduced a Gaming Bill which has for its objects the telegraphing, of money for investment on the totalisator through the secretaries of racing and trotting clubs, and to permit the publication of dividends—concessions that have been repeatedly asked for,” said Sir Edwin. “Several Gaming Bills have previously been introduced in Parliament, and while they received the support of a considerable majority of the members, for some unaccountable reason they failed to reach the Statute Book. In, view of the position of the present Bill on the Order Paper there is a danger that it will meet the same fate as its, predecessors but it is hoped that the Government will concede an opportunity for the Bill •to reach its second reading so that racing and trotting clubs may receive linancial benefit through it being passed into law. The . post and telegraph revenue will also be considerably increased by the passing off the Bill.” It was somewhat difficult to understand the attitude taken up by some of the churches in opposing the Gaming Bill, he continued, for if they took the trouble to make inquiries in a broadminded spirit, they would discover that the evil they professed to find in betting really arose from the operations of bookmakers, who were a decided menace and were more worthy of opposition instead of what at present really amounted to the support of the ohurches. The bookmakers had increased in number in the Dominion, and had for some years past been reaping a great harvest owing to the fact that money could not be telegraphed 'for investment in the totalisatpr. The churches should set their attention to • the elimination of the bookmakers, who did so much harm to the community by encouraging betting on credit —the real cause of the troubles in which young men became involved in this and every other country, and which wish its compulsory cash system the totalisator did not bring about. He held that while betting was legalised it should be directed to its legitimate channel—the totalisator. The inclination to bet was inherent in every race, and could only be destroyed or abolished voluntarily by every person determining to forego and stifle those tendencies which bad been inherited and followed throughput the centuries. Here be. would like to express the hope that the recent disclosures in the press of the dubious methods pursued by bookmakers might soon serve to disillusion those who did business with them, and that result would be for the benefit of racing and racing institutions.