Hypocrisy Rampant

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 173, 12 October 1927, Page 12

Hypocrisy Rampant

in fining the editor of a weekly paper last week for publishing the starting prices of horses taking part in races in Australia, the magistrate commented that it seemed incredible any journal should be unaware of the provisions of the Act. At the same time it seemed anomalous that the news should be made avail&ble to the public in Australian papers that came to this country. Commenting on this case “Sir Modred says:—ln his comment the magistrate missed another point that could have been made in failing to point out that thousands of people in New Zealand are kept advised of the wagering situation in connection with Australian races by means of wireless

messages. It all goes to show how foolish it is that New Zealand newspapers should be penalised as at present in being unable to publish betting news after races have been decided. While Maoriland newspapers are handicapped in this direction the information as to perfectly legaj wagering operations is broadcasted by wireless, published by Australian journals coming into this country, and furnished by bookmakers to their clients on every hand—the peneillers furnish returns of wagering in connection with every totalisator fixture in New Zealand and on leading Australian events. The wireless situation alone shows how ridiculous the embargo placed on the publication of dividends and betting prices by New Zealand papers really is, as the Government cannot prevent wagering quotations reaching this country by air from the Commonwealth unless they prohibit the use of wireless apparatus altogether and they are not prepared to take this step, yet newspaper people are open to prosecution and fine if they convey similar information to their readers. It is a case of hypocrisy rampant