ANTI GAMBLING LEAGUE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2642, 26 October 1909, Page 5

ANTI GAMBLING LEAGUE.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER

. CPeb Press Association.! ■ WELLINGTON, October 25. A deputation from the Anti-Gambling League waited on the Premier this morning, introduced by Mr. H. G. Ell, M.P. The chief speakers were the Rev. J. North and Mr. A. It. Atkinson. The former referred to _ the results of the Gaming Act, which were not so gratifying as had been hoped, and urged the restriction of the number of race meetings, stating that now 6S meetings were found, where there were formerly only .eight. - Mr. Atkinson said that the chief defect of the Act was legalising the bookmakers. The social reform party in Parliament was strong enough to repeal that. He referred to the presence of the Hons. J. Carroll and J. A. Millar at the opening of the Tattersall’s Club, which evoked cries of “Shame” from' the deputation, and a protest from the Premier, who said that he could not allow any reflections to be cast upon his colleagues. The Premier, in reply, said that he would go- into the more important aspects of the matter. Mr. Atkinson did not understand the position at the time of the passing of the Act of 1907. Some very drastic proposals were originally embodied in the Bill, including prohibition of street betting, and of the publication of, totalisaton odds, and a proposal for the protection of the'people, from temptation to gamble. Those m the House could have prevented any egislation from going through. He knew that, unless gaming were confined to racecourses, the Bill couid not nave passed. They had also abolished the sending of telegraphic messages to and from racecourses, and it was not encouraging to hear' what had been done minimised. It was not right to say that no one was guided by principle in the matter but Mr. Atkinson and his friends. He quit© agreed that pony races should b© prohibited, and w ould help to do so, also that clubs having no legal status should be abolished, as they clearly were run not-for sport but for profit. Speaking for himself, lie was quite prepared to take the voice of the people on the question. The' deputation appeared very satisfied with the Premier’s reply. In view of the reply given by the Premier to th© anti-gambling deputation, Mr. H. G. EH, M.P., wnl not proceed with his Bill proposing to submit the question of totalisator abolition to a referendum of the electors.