BETTING INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1930, Page 2

BETTING INDUSTRY

AN ALLEGED INSURANCE FUND. WELLINGTON, September 26. The launching of a vigorous offensive against bookmakers was advocated by several members during consideration of the Police vote in the House to-day. Air R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) asked the Minister whether he had any information concerning the bookmaking that was alleged to be so prevalent in New Zealand. It was common knowledge that post offices knew the operators who had telephones, just as it did ordinary merchants and profession men. However, :t seemed impossible that convictions could be obtained, and in his opinion something in the matter should be done one way or the other. These people must be put down or they must be placed on a proper footing. If it was the opinion of the Police Department that it was impossible to deal with bookmakers effectively, and the community wanted tiiem, the position should be faced. The present position was most unsatisfactory.

Mr Kyle (Riecarton) said the annual report of the Department indicated that prosecutions against bookmakers last, year were satisfactory. However, he hoped the new Commissioner would stimulate the force to try to obtain further convictions. He belivod the Department could dean up most of the bookmnkipg that was practised in the Dominion.

“I hope the new Commissioner will take the matter in hand/’ said Mr Dickie (Paten.) “Bookmakers are a blight on the community, and I am afraid the recent increased taxation on the totnlisntor will mean a bonus' to the bookmakers. f hope that better facilities will be given to the polie to prosecute these men, so that next year’s returns will show a substantial increase in the fines made. These people are in every factory and feezing wor ks in the country, parasites feeding on the men. The police know these men are operating, all of them pursuing as they do an illicit business. I am informed that they have established a powerful insurance fund, from which fines are paid, and I hope this fund will soon be depleted. Quoting from the annual report of the Police Department, the Minister in charge of the Police Department said that last year there had been 172 prosecutions, 147 convictions and £3OOO received in fines. The police were attending to the matter, but of course it was not possible to obtain convictions in every case. In addition it was difficult to obtain evidence. “Of course,” the Minister added with, a. smile, . “I know no member of this House knows any bookmaker, but if any do, a hint given to the Commissioner will result in the matter being attended to.” (Laughter.)