ALL BETTING LEGAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 42, 12 May 1927, Page 6

ALL BETTING LEGAL

BACKERS’ PARADISE CHANCE THAT WAS LOST GOVERNMENT CHICKENS COME HOME TO ROOST In the House of Commons recently Mr. A. C. A. Dixey asked leave to bring in a Bill to provide for the recognition and legalisation of betting. He said it seemed at the present time that the Government and the people of the country were animated by an entirely false standard of morals in regard to this question. If betting were bad for the people, then they were not taking the proper way for tackling it, which was to make it illegal. He failed to understand the attitude of members who, while willing to “have a bit on for themselves,” declared that the country would not allow betting to be legalised. LADY MEMBER OPPOSES

Viscounte;.. Astor, amid cheers and laughter, opposed the introduction of the Bill. She said she had objected to the Government’s proposal to tax betting. That had driven the evil into the back streets. The present Bill simply meant legalising betting houses all over the country. That was the logical outcome of the Government policy. The betting evil would have to be faced some day.

Amid some excitement a division was called, Viscountess Astor and the Rev. J. Barr were tellers for the Noes. When the Viscountess read out the figures: For leave to introduce the Bill 44, against 143, there were loud cheers for the defeat of the motion.