GAMBLING DEBATE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 746, 20 August 1929, Page 16

GAMBLING DEBATE

INTERESTING CLASH TOMORROW EVENING BIG ATTENDANCE EXPECTED Considerable interest has been roused in Auckland by the announcement of the forthcoming debate on gambling between the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh, as champion of the Auckland Presbytery, and Mr. C. E. Major, representing Sir Edwin Mitchelson, president of the Auckland Racing Club. The debate will take place tomorrow evening in Scots Hall, Upper Symonds Street. Unity Hall was engaged previously, but the prospect of a bumper attendance resulted in the change of plans. As the climax of an interesting controversy in the correspondence columns of Auckland newspapers, the debate, in effect, will be a clash between supporters and opponents of racing as a gambling sport. The subject was introduced in the first instance by Sir Edwin Mitchelson, who referred at the annual meeting of the Auckland Racing Club to the proposed amendment to the gaming laws. He advised certain churches to set their attention to the elimination of bookmakers rather than to the condemnation of gambling. This was followed by a challenge from the Rev. Lawson Marsh, of the Auckland Presbytery’s Public Questions Committee, who offered to debate the question with Sir Edwin when and where he chose. On behalf of Sir Edwin it was explained that throat trouble prevented the acceptance of the challenge, and Mr. C. E. Major offered to represent the Racing Club’s veteran president. This offer was accepted. Sir George Fowlds has consented to preside tomorrow evening, and anv surplus from the collection to defray expenses will be devoted to local charities.