BOOKMAKERS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1932, Page 6

BOOKMAKERS

RACING CONFERENCE DECISION.

AGAINST LEGALISATION

(Per Press Association — Copy right.)

WELLINGTON, July 12,

The New Zealand Racing Conference to-day showed very decidedly that 'it was strongly opposed to the re-intro-duction of the bookmaker to tlie Dominion.

Although those present listened witli interest to those favouring this proposal, when it was put to a vote, the motion was overwhelmed in a chorus of “noes.”

Tlie subject was referred to in the President’s annual address, in which Mr Watkins urged the repeal of the law preventing the telegraphing of bets and’ the operation of a doubles totalisator.

Tiie remit in favour of tlie licensing of the bookmakers was later introduced by the Southern Hawke’s Bay District Clubs.

Mr W. H. Gainsford, in moving the resolution, referred to the .hard time that the racing was experiencing at the present time, and to the high costs, Australia, he pointed out, was drawing the" bulk of our best horses, though many, on the other hand, had poor prospects here. Something should he done to give the’ owners a better opportunity in New Zealand. Tlie legislation had not killed the bookmakers, who were still doing a very large volume’ of off-course betting.

The speaker said that assuming there were 200 bookmakers at £l5O per day and two and a-lialf days per week, then on a five per cent, basis a tax on them would bring in £195,000 revenue. At present this revenue was lost! He said that telegraphing bets to the course would he no good whatever if no alteration were made in respect of the present operations of 'the bookmakers.