THE GAMING ACT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3778, 5 December 1907, Page 3

THE GAMING ACT.

Dsputatlonissd. A deputation of bookmakers Waited on the Attorney-General at .Wellington on Tuesday to com\flain about the manner in which me new Gaming Act had been adJfiinistered by the Feilding Racing G.lub, and to ask that the law should be carried out in the spirit intended by the Legislature. The deputation asked that a mandate should be issued to racing clubs compelling them to administer the Act fairly. The bookmakers protested against being charged ,£2O a day and also against being roped in an enclosure. Dr Findlay, in reply, said he wanted to explain that bookmakers * had no right to expect and would not get any indulgence from the Government. The duty of the Government would not permit it to show any favour in any shape or forth to any agency of gambling. He quoted Acts to show that Govhad power to cancel or Afefiise tb issue licenses for the toJtallsatbf, and he indicated that in Tthe event of a club imposing or bookmakets to observe unreasonable conditions he would advise Cabinet to have that club’s - totalisator permit cancelled. Bookmakers had been given a legal status, and they were to be put in no better and no worse position than the totalisator on the course. The Act Would be administered in a spirit bf fairness, and the Government Would endeavour to secure absolute observance of its provisions.