CHURCH AND GAMBLING.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1921, Page 5

CHURCH AND GAMBLING.

LAW AGAINST BOOKMAKERS. LENIENCY OPPOSED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. At a meeting of the Council of Churches the following resolutions were passed: The Council of Qhurches .. regrets, in connection with the remission of, sentence inflicted by a Magistrate on Whitta, junr., that no sufficient public explanation has yet been forthcoming, and that the council’s request for one made more than three weeks ago has not been acceded to. The council respectfully points out that such remission will have a discouraging effect upon the police and juries, and in view of the difficulty already experienced with the Act it is particularly to .be regretted. The council holds that the public should be supplied with the full reasons that made a revision of the sentence necessary, together with some explanation as to their non-representation in the court. This meeting desires to place on record its appreciation of the recent Act against bookmaking passed by the Government, and the support of the Press in the effort to put down the evil of the bookmaker in the Dominion, and trusts they will also use their great influence in 'curtailing totalizator permits. It considers the recent trial of Whitta. senior’s case had been fairly and righteously considered, and the sentence passed was just and reasonable in the face of the crime committed. It therefore looks with disfavor on the methods adopted to secure signatures from the public, for the remission of the sentence, or any part thereof, and prays the Government will not set aside the law’s penalty in this case.