THE FUTURE OF THE TURF.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4450, 24 June 1875, Page 3

THE FUTURE OF THE TURF.

In a late number of the Australasian we find it said—“AVe would draw attention to the action taken by the Government at Home of late years in relation to the turf. The first blow has been struck at the list-houses and betting-shops, and a very decisive blow it was. But there is another to come yet, and it is a mere question of time, unless in the interim race committees and club obviate the necessity for it. The next move will be to suppress all public betting, and betting in public places. There is a very strong party in Great Britain who regard all racing as sinful. That party is strong, and is growing stronger. It is gaining recruits every year; and when it feels its power sufficient, from that moment all betting in public places is doomed. Some people the idea of such a thing ever happening in a British community. Other reforms have been ridiculed also, but have, nevertheless, been carried out. The total suppression of . all public betting is, in our opinion, simply a question of time. Betting quotations in the press will be forbidden, anti all allusion to the state of the odds, Tattersall’s will bo shut up, and a bookmaker will not daro to'open his mouth in an hotel for fear of a hundred pounds fine. There will be no ring in the saddling paddock, and if beforeaMelboumo Cupsome adventurous Thompson or Goyder offer to lay -a wager on the race, he will quickly find himself an inmate of the police van and lodged in durance vile. AVhen that time comes handicaps will be run on their merits, and the public handicapper will bo better appreciated. All horses then will go for the money, as there will be nothing else to go for. There will be no waitists, as there will bo nothing worth waiting for, and only those persons will patronise the turf who can enjoy racing for racing’s sake, apart from the excitement and hope of gain which now influences nine-tenths of those who flock to see a race run.”