24 DECEMBER 1927, Page 3

An influential non-party deputation visited the Home Secretary on Wednesday

to draw his attention to the spread of greyhound racing with extremely evil results. The greyhound courses are petits cheraux tables increased to nightmare size. The sport means little or nothing. The gambling is everything. And it is in the main the poorer people, and the boys and girls of the poorer people, who are being seduced into ruinous habits that may undo the work of generations. " It is an abominable thing," said Mr. J. H. Thomas," if the Sunday dinner of thousands of children is dependent on the result of a dog race on Saturday night." The Home Secretary was in complete sympathy with the deputation and promised careful and prompt inquiry. He had already examined the powers of the Home Office to deal with juvenile betting. If necessary a Bill would be introduced next Session. Beyond that the "grave evil " would be considered as a whole in the moral interests of the community. He warned those who were investing their money in this new sport, which had arisen so suddenly, that the Government would devote serious attention to it." That is"-to say, s curity cannot be looked for in an undertaking which is opposed to the public interest.