CONTROLLING GAMBLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 223, 26 October 1909, Page 2

CONTROLLING GAMBLING.

DEPUTATION TO TUB PREMIER. REFERENDUM FORESHADOWED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, October 23. A deputation organised by the C'Lizens' Anti-Gaiubliug League and Hie churches waited on the Premier to-day and urged the repeal of the clause to the Gaming Act licensing bookmakers. The spokesmen were the Key. North and Mr. A.'R. Atkinson.

The Premier in reply said he would go into the more important aspects of the matter, air. Atkinson did not understand the position. At the time of the passing of the Act of llllli some very drastic proposals were originally embodied in the Bill, including the prohibition of street betting and the publication of tote odds, and proposals for the protection of the people from temptations to gamble. Those in the House could have prevented any legislation from going through. He knew that unless gaming was confined to racecourses the Bill could not have .passed, they had also abolished wires and sending messages to ;uul from racecourses, and it was not encouraging to hear what had been done minimised. It was not right to say that no one was guided by principle in the matter but Mr. Atkinson and his friendi lie quite agreed that pony races should be prohibited, and would help to do so; also that clubs having no legal status should be abolished, as they were clearly run not for sport but for profit. Speaking for himsolf he was quite prepared to take the voice of the people on the question. The deputation appeared very satisfied with the Premier's reply. The deputation referred to the results of the (laming Act, which is, not so gratifying as had been hoped, and urged a restriction of tin; number of race meetings, stating that there were now G8 meetings round Wellington where formerly there were only .eight.

Mr. Atkinson said the chief defect of the Act was in licensing bookmakers, and that the Social Reform Party in Parliament was strong enough to repeal that. He referred to the presence of the Hon. .1. Carroll and the Hon. J. A. Millar at the opening of TattcrsalPs Club, which evoked cries of ".shame" from the deputation and it protest from the Premier, who said he could not allow any reflections to be cast upon his colleagues.

MR. ELL'S PROPOSED BILL. Wellington, Lust Mfrlit. In view nf the reply given liy till' Premier to the anti-gambling deputation, Mr. 11. G. Ell. M.P.. will not proceed with liis Hill proposing to submit, the question of lotalisator abolition to referendum of electors.