RADIO AND BETS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 May 1933, Page 8

RADIO AND BETS

■MOVE' TO STOP BROADCASTING' OF ODDS. ’ : EVILS OF S.P. SYSTEM. SYDNEY, Alay 20. Within the past lew days two organisations, differing entirely in character and constitution, hut both sincerely concerned for the mairiten'ance of pubic morality and the promotion of the public welfare,-; have ma.de strong protests against tfie /facilities now . afforded for betting by the broadcasting .of race results and betting odds uii hotels. It was natural that the C Oll g r ega. t,;onal Churches which hap been holding their centenary her e should express strong views on this subject* AW,r,d <me of the clergy, supporting , the recommendation of the Public* Questions Committee for restrictions •■■bn-; these facilities, spoke of “the unholy compromise between the radio and the convivial glass," which now promotes both drunkenness and gambling throughout, the 'State. 'But the other protest to which I have referred comes from a le r s obvious s'ource. At the police conference last week, Mr ■Nbwhnd, a , police official from Wollongong moved that the Government be asked to prohibit the broadcasting of race results. i

A* most ‘ people here know, special efforts are ‘feeifi# made to eheck starting price gambling, the form of betting most conducive to recklessness oil the one side and dishonesty on the other, and Several of the speakers l3t the conference supporting the resolution urged that, to check stirtiitg price/ tbetd’ng effectively, the GanPng and Betting Act should be amonded so as to allow the -arrest, without warrant,, of all persons found o n hotel premises for the purpose c.f betting. It was the general opinion that broadcasting race results must cease, if the coun-.ry towns ahd the city suburbs are to be kept clear of undesirables. 1 ' The “Daily Telegraph,” which has given .a strong lead to public opinion on this' subject, qi)ote s “a high policeofficial’’ to the effect that “the broadcast of race results end talk by alleged experts who persuade gullible members of the public ho pav for tips, should !be stopped.” Til’s po'ice officer added: “We know’ of cases 'where men who are on- the dolespend whole afteinoons "in hotel ß listening to races being broadcast and ■ lings that they cannot afford on bets.