NEW GAMING ACT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9024, 10 January 1908, Page 6

NEW GAMING ACT.

DR. FINDLAY INTERVIEWED. THE CLUBS AND THE BOOKMAKERS. In the course of an interview at Chrfetchurch, on Tuesday morning, the Hon. Dr. Findlay stated, in reference to the new Gaming Ac', that the large club 3 were giving far less trouble than the smaller ones, the latter being inclined to impose impossible conditions. "It is quite clear," the AttorneyGeneral said, "that if clubs like those at Auckland and Christchurch are content to charge bookmakers £2O a day, and admit heir clerks free, it is unreasonable for the smaller clubs to charge £2O each for the bookmaker and his clerk. The most influential and best friends of racing in New Zealand are endeavouring to make Section 35 work smoothly, and their influence will doubtless succeed in producing this effect." "The statement has been made," the reporter interposed, "that the Act does not confine betting to the racecourses altogether." "That is so," the speaker admitted readily. "There is a good deal of misconception as to the effect of the Act. Before it was passed a bookmaker could bet anywhere he chose so long as v he did not do it on the street or in a common gaming house. The present Act limits the places where betting may be carried on, but still leaves it free to the bookmaker to mako bets in any place not expressly mentioned or prohibited by the Act. There is no reason, for instance, why he should not *bet in his own home so long as he does not irake a common gaming house of it, or set up a regular place where betting is carried on. The cardinal change made by the Act-is that betting upon any contingency, excepting horse-racing, is illegal. One may bet on a hon.e race anywhere so long as he is not in a place mentioned and prohibited by the Act, such as the street, public places, or any regular 'tote' shops." "Is any improvement noticeable yet?" "Well, from careful inquiries made in Auckland from racing men and the police, I ascertained that the better class of bookmakers were strenuously attempting to comply with all the conditions of their licenses, and to observe the law. Moreover, I learned that they are going to do their best to prevent, any of their class bringing anything in the shape of reprisals upon them for breaking the law. T believe thty are forming some sort of an association to attempt to maintain some standard of character and financial status as a basis of admission. It is, of coruse, far too early to decide definitely whether Section 35 is going to be successful in practice or not. Some men experienced in these matters say the new broom ia sweeping clean, and that the bookmakers are on the best of good behaviour. In the meantime I am not in a position to decide that question. I can only say that the information so far received is all in their favour."