GAMING BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1929, Page 3

GAMING BILL

HON MR ALISON’S VIEWS

AUCKLAND, Sept. 10.

“The prohibition of the telegraphing ‘of investments on the totalisator does not abolish betting away from the course, but fosters illegal betting, creates disrespect for the law, and encourages those who defy the law.” in these words the president of the Taka“puna JTockey Club, the Hon Mr Alison, M.L.fr, in the course of his presiden-. tial address read to members to-day at the annual meeting of the club, supported the Gaming and Amendment Bill.

“As you are all aware, there has been considerable contention over the Gaming Amendment *Bill, containing two clauses only, under which* the existing restrictions preventing the telegraphing of investments on the totalisator and the publication of dividends would be repealed,” he said. “I do not propose to go into the ethics of gambling, but the restrictions mentioned should undoubtedly be removed, for they serve no good purpose. The whole of the racegoers who attend a race meeting have the information openly employed to them; Take, for instance the 30,0C0 to 40,000 people who attend on Cup- day at the Auckland Racing Club’s Summer Meeting. They are all openly informed of the dividends payable on each race, but under the existing ridiculous legislation the .newspapers are Barred from publishing uiem.

“The prohibition of the telegraphing of investments on the totalisator does not abolish betting away from the course. There is a strong and united opinion among the racing community of New Zealand that the prohibition of the telegraphing of totalisator investments, and of the publication of dividends has not had the result which Parliament anticipated when the Act was passed. It is felt that the removal of the restrictions referred to would

not only be beneficial in the interests of racing, of the State, and to the racing community, but, in addition, it would go a long way to cripple the bookmaking element. ;

“The Prime Minister has stated that he has received communication asking .urn to accede to the removal of the i existing objectionable restrictions, but \ he could not see his way to do that, but would grant the House an opportunity. of. considering the matter in .detail this session,” the statement cor. eluded.