The Bishop of Lichfield has sent us a manifesto signed
by himself and several other distinguished bishops, clergy and Nonconformists protesting against the proposal to tax betting. " There is every reason to anticipate," says the manifesto, " that the taxation of betting with its accompanying changes in the law of the country— the licensing of bookmakers and the opening of ready- money betting offices—would mean an increase in betting." It was precisely to meet this objection that we proposed that, to begin with at all events, there should be no change in the betting laws. In several ways betting is at present not only legalized but encouraged. Let us, therefore, tax the credit bookmaker whose business is already legal, and if possible the racecourse bookmaker whose business is also legal. Surely_ that would not be to encourage betting. We cannot- believe that to make a. thing more expensive is to make it more popular.
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