The Duke of Portland writes strongly in the Morning Post
against the publication of inducements to gambling in " prominent pro- vincial papers circulating widely in Midland cities and towns in which large munition 'factories are situated." Racing and coursing meetings are prohibited in these districts ; why should • not the prohibition equally apply to the publication of inducements to gambling ? As it is, we are faced with the anomaly of munition workers and others in these areas being continually prosecuted for street betting, while the authorities do nothing to prevent the publication of betting prices. " Thus it happens that one and the same newspaper will record in one column the latest betting prices, and in another the punishment inflicted on those who have been convicted for street betting." The Duke of Portland supports the restricted horse-racing at present permitted in order to preserve the breed of horses. Our only criticism of a letter which carries extra weight coming as it does from so good a sportsman as the Duke, is that he need not have confined his strictures to provincial papers. We commend to his attention the continued activities of the Star—the paper owned and controlled by the Daily News, which is in turn owned and controlled by members of the Cadbury family.
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