Dog Races Defended

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 246, 7 January 1928, Page 11

Dog Races Defended

ASSOCIATION ISSUES CHALLENGE “NEW SPORT A BLESSING” By Cable. —Press Association. — Copyright. Reed. noon. LONDON, Friday. The Greyhound Racing Protection Association, in a statement, declares that the opposition to the campaign is hypocritical and is based on unfounded allegations. It challenges its opponents to substantiate Mr. J. H. Thomas’s charges. The association claims that greyhound racing has proved a blessing to the community, notably in reducing the evils of street-corner betting on horses. It says: “We are prepared to support Bill for stopping child-betting, provided it applies to horse-racing and other sports, hut we shall resist unequal treatment to greyhound racing.” —Sun.

In a deputation to the Home Secretary in December. Mr. J. H. Thomas, M.P., said he considered the Minister's reply to be inadequate, and said he felt sure, that city financial circles would note the Minister's hint. Nobody contended that the workers did not need relaxation, but, representing every part, section, creed, and “ism,” the deputation contended that dog-racing was unsportsmanlike and demoralising. He knew of nothing that had so caught on the workers, so calculated to have demoralising results, so likely to ruin homes. The deputation intended at the earliest opportunity to test the feelings of the House of Commons. It expected the Governmen would say it was not a party issue. Money-lenders appeared in the factories.. He personally knew of many cases where a whole week’s wages had been mortgaged In advance. It was a damnable thing if thousands of children’s Sunday dinners were to be dependent on dog-racing on Saturday night;