THE TOTALISATOR.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 97, 2 August 1910, Page 5

THE TOTALISATOR.

PROTEST AGAINST REDUCTION . OF PERMITS, DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. 1 By Telegraph.-r-Press Association. Auckland, Monday. A deputation from metropoUtan mnd, suburban racing clubs waited on Sir Joseph Ward this morning and protested 'against the proposed reduction of thej number of totalisator permits" for race i meetings. Mr. Mitchelson said the Auckland Racing Club has not agitated against the bookmaker. The agitation emanated from the public on accounv of spielers and undesirables who brought ; the occupation of the bookmaker' into great disrepute. In every case where the inspector of police had notified the club that an applicant was an undesirable the club had, with two or three ; exceptions, refused' to issue a license. In two or three cases the committee did not think the charges made against applicants sufficient to warrant them refusing a license. A great deal at dds/ credit lhas arisen' from the fact that the men' refused licenses by the MetropoJitan Olub had received licenses from' country clubs. Mr. Mitchelson commented upon the large increase of unregistered meetings mot controlled by the metropolitan body or the Racijig Conference. If clubs using the totalisator considered the question of the bookmaker from a financial point of view they would say retain him, because their fees were greatly in excess of the amount that would be earned through the bookmaker. Last year the club received £9696 from bookmakers, equivalent to £130,000 handled through the totalisator. The Premier, replying, said that clubs had not to consider what Government thought about the matter, but rather to face public opinion. There was no doubt that there was too much racing in New Zealand. Even the people im favour of that sport advocated control to eliminate the abuses that had crept in. He proposed to introduce a measure which would be passed this session. He could not give details of the Bill. It would be referred to a small committee, which would take evidence and report to the House.