THE BOOKIE AND THE TOTE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 85, 19 July 1910, Page 8

THE BOOKIE AND THE TOTE

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Yesterday. A large and representative deputation waited on the Premier to-day to urge the immediate repeal of the section in the Gaming Act legalising bookmakers, and a referendum on the question of abolishing the totalisator. The speakers were Mr. Aitken, the Rev. J. J. North, Bishop Wallis, Professor Kirk, Messrs. Firth and Hutcheson. The Rev. J. J. North pointed out that there were 200 men interested in horse racing subsidised by the Government by means of the totalisator, and bookmakers' fees. The Victorian Racing Club had a revenue\f about £BSOO a year, but the 'Auckland Club drew '£96o from bookmakers and £27 000 from the betting machine. The town of Feilding spent £I7OO on punlic schools and £.">SOO on stakes for racing evejats. The deputation, which was representative of all classes in the community, asked for the immediate repeal of the clause legalising bookmakers, also lor repressive measures against bookmakers outside of the racecourse, and a referendum on the abolition of the totalisator. Sir Joseph Ward, replying, admitted that the Act of 1007 had been disappointing. The Government was sincere in three issues to Parliament with r v iV'v: + n (jetting the opinion on boakiv.i'.kL-rs, the totalisator, and the reduction of race meetings. These questions would be submitted separately, and there would be no side tracking. Cabinet had been considering whether the question of the referendum ought also to be submitted to Parliament, «nd legislation in accordance with the opinion of the House would be placed on the Statute Book this session. A WANGANUI RESOLUTION. Wanganuf, Yesterday. The Chamber of Commerce tni's morning passed a resolution" unanimously endorsing the action of the Council of Churches in its endeavour to minimise gambling,, and expressing the opinion that Government be urged to pass legislation which will' do away with the legalising of bookmakers.