The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1933. GAMING LEGISLATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 December 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1933. GAMING LEGISLATION.

The proposal to amend the gaming laws to assist the revenue of the totalisator clubs met with an unusual fate on the latest occasion. Heretofore, it has been the custom for organised opposition to talk the. matter out and the bill has been killed by that simple process. On the present occasion the Government moved with ine intention of assisting the private member’s bill. This was so far so good, and was the first occasion on whicili the Government /appeared to recognise the import of the measure to its own revenue. But the unexpected happened. Some members professing to be piqued by the action of the Prime Minister, joined the forces of tne opposition to the' measure, and the combined effort defeated the Prime Minister’s move, and the hill was killed by that means. Th. e disposition of Parliament towards gaming legislation seems to be somewhat savoury. There is always a clique prepared to oppose such measures tooth and nail. Their actions are not considered disinterested, but they return to the charge as opportunity offers. They arc now fairly skilled in the forms of Parliamentary procedure, and are able to use their knowledge to good effect. It has been remarkable in the past that while members of Cabinet in the past have, professed to realise the aim and object of the sporting clubs at their true worth, net tiTT'xhe present has there been an effort to help practically? The amendments desired were to check illicit betting and to turn more revenue to the legalised machine. By that means the sport and the public exchequer would have profitted alike, the Government doubly so, for there would ho additional revenue through the Post and Telegraph service. However, that has been vetoed hut still illicit betting goes cu under the eye of the law, and there is very little redress. The betting public will not be denied their pastime, and in tho gaming laws we have another example of the contempt shown for prohibitory legislation

when it is not in stop with the pub.n uciiiamts. It is evident under the restricted licensing laws, and also in

regard to gambling per medium of sweeps or art unions (so-called). There the Government under a special concession permits the law to be ridden through silencing its conscience by providing .a portion of the profit to charity? As a very large sum passes from the totalisator to the public treasury to be used as part of the consolidated fund, . the additional amount to be' derived under the late amendments asked for, would be a relief to the general taxpayer, and if charity is to begin at home, John Citizen might have some consideration. But the hidden forces in opposition work warily, and come into veiled view only when their “business” is thought to be jeopardis’d. Spasmodic efforts are made to deal with the offenders, hut illicit betting is increasing rather than decreasing according to all ’ •accounts. In other, walks the authorities are rather zealous i n endeavouring to check the leakage of revenue, hut, under, the Gaming Act the forces engaged in controverting the law appear to have plenty of rope, and despite occasional heavy Ailing, the fraternity appears to flourish, which is the best indication of tile public disposition in the matter, despite the law’s restrictions,