TOTALISATOR COMMISSION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 323, 12 July 1912, Page 5

TOTALISATOR COMMISSION

THE MINORITY' REPORT. By Cable—Pres* Association—Copyright. Sydney, July 11. Mr. MeCourt, one of the members of the Totalisator Commission, signed neither report, but recorded a series of observations in favor of the machine and strict prevention of bookmakers. He suggested that T'/i per cent, should be the maximum allowed to be deducted by the totalisator. the whole, to be expended in prizes and the upkeep of racecourses. The minority report, dealing with evidence taken in New Zealand, concludes: "Every witness was absolutely opposed to credit betting, and preferred cash. The only witnesses opposed to the total- j isator were clergymen, those who objected to all forms of betting, or those interested in bookmaking. In New Zealand 7'/ 2 per cent, of the amount derived from the totalisator is devoted to improvements and upkeep of courses, the payment of wages and increase of the prizes, 2'/ 2 per cent, going to the State. The courses are splendidly kept, and, besides being racecourses, are really public gardens. The great bulk of evidence in the Dominion was to the effect that the totalisator made racing purer, it enabled clubs to improve their grounds and increase the prizes, that it discouraged the big bettor and professional punter, assisted in improving the breed of horses, ••specially trotting horses, some of which are among the finest in any part of the world."

PRESS COMMENT. Sydney. July 11. Commenting on the totalisator report, the Herald that the only conclusion is that the majority of the commission, being unable to meet the arguments again-t the present evil system. anil, behiir in desperation, decided that the arrruments were one-sided. The' Telegraph -ays tlt.it unfortunately the report* an- -o ccmiradictory that 'thev fled vj< innr;■ light on the essential issue.- than they already had. About the only out.-tanding definite feature is the majority'.- .-nt( meiit that wh"revir the toiaii-ator i- established it remains in operation. Although it is formidably threatened in New Zealand, that is important evidence..