LICENSING OF BOOKMAKERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9632, 26 October 1909, Page 3

LICENSING OF BOOKMAKERS.

DEPUTATION TO THE

PREMIER

IBy Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, October 23. A deputation organised by tfie Citizens' Anti-gambling: League and the Churches waited on the Premier to day, and urged him to repeal ihu clause of the Gaming Act licensing bookmakers The spokesmen were Rev, North and Mr A. R. Atkin3on. The Premier, in reply, s-iid that he would go into the more important aspects of the matter. Mr Atkinson did not understand the position. At the time of passing the Act of 1907 some very drastic proposals were originally embodied in the Bill, including prohibition of street betting and the publication of totalisator j odds and proposals for the protec- 1 tion of people from temptations to gamble. Those in the House could have prevented legislation from go ing tnrough. He knew that unless gaming was confined to racecourses a Bill could not have passed. They had also abolished wires and sending messages to and from racecourses, and it was not encouraging to hear what had been done minim- | ised. It was not right to say that no one was guided by principle ia the I matter, but with Mr Atkinson and ; his friends he quite agreed that pony [ races should be prohibited, and would j help to do so; also that clubs hav- 1 ing no status should be abolished as they were clearly run, n>t for sport, but for profit. Speaking for himself, he was quite pre- | pared to take the voice of the people ! on the question. j The deputation appear very* satisfied with the Premier's reply. j