MORALS AND BETS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 October 1931, Page 6

MORALS AND BETS

AN OUTSPOKEN VICAR,

ADVICE ON GAMBLING

AUCKLAND, October 4

The confession “I rather enjoy being in a sweepstake,” is made by the Rev. A. Russel Allerton, vicar of St. Thomas’s Church, Freeman’s Bay in an article on gambling, in the parish magazine.

“There is nothing morally wrong in betting in itself” asserts Mr Allerton. “There are obviously great dangers arising therefrom and these- dangers confuse many well-meaning folk into added thinking and rash speaking. Betting on horses is clearly a. serious temptation to stupid people who are vain enough to think/that they are cleverer or more knowing' that common sense and experience justify; to people so ignorant of mathematics that they believe in systems, and to those unfortunate people who have both the above failing, plus the desire to get rich quickly, and to be on something for nothing. “As we are all more or less stupid and think we know more than we cto, and sincerely feel that we could do with more money than we have, it will he clear that in such an imperfect world the bookmaker will not lack punters, the Stock Exchange speculators, or gambling tables players. If betting were wrong in itself than wo ought not to tolerate it either on the course or the Stock Exchange, through bookmaker, broker, or the tote. As it is not necessary, it might be desirable to suppress it altogether as a dangerous nuisance like motor-cycles.

“LAW IN CONTEMPT.”

“When T was a boy I visited a pro- ( liibition State and noted the alnount | of drunkenness and the almost univer- , sal facilities for drinking. Now I live where bookmaking is illegal, and Dr. North assures us that bookmakers are legion and that punting is general, 'i'llis is a deplorable state of affairs. It brings the law into contempt, gives opportunities for corruption and blackmailing, provides the maximum of facilities for betting with the minimum of security all round. The obvious solution would seem to he the licensing of reputable bookmakers under conditions that would at once make for security, control the facilities for betting, and abolish touting. It may be said .that this has been tried in New Zealand and was a failure. I am assured that the previous licensing of j bookmakers gave neither security nor control, but merely legalised the nuisance. WILL BE MISUNDERSTOOD. “I am quite sure that, in spite of weighing my words carefully, I shall he misunderstood by many who dislike thinking carefully. Both sides will no doubt declare that. I have .sided with them more than I have. T do not bet myself except when I go to races, and 1 have not been to races for three years. Leather enjoy being in a sweepstake; I have bought only one art union ticket since : I have been in New

Zealand, and I enioy doing that mainly because the dear old lady by my side was bursting to denounce me with pseudo-pontificial pronouncemnt as to what the Church said on the subject. “T cannot uuderstaincl the pleasure •that many get out of backing horses they cannot see, but I know many excellent people who do, and I accept the fact. I also know of people who are to fond of money to risk losing a bob on a horse. I advise people strongly not to bet, but I have more confidence in the building up of a disciplined Christian life and character than in Puritanical prohibitions. A humble, generous person will not lose his head about money, either on or off a horse. Prohibitionists are always in danger of becoming prigs, than which T can conceive nothing more foot-provoking.”