We agree that if ready-money ,betting were to be brought
under control a, change in the law would be necessary. The prospect would be formidable. The greater. part of a session would probably be occupied in the debates. The best way is to deal with one thing at a time. " Those who know the present extent of betting and its disastrous social and moral effects," the manifesto goes on, " cannot be other than appalled at the prospect of any measure which would lead to still further developments." We wish that the opponents of the taxation of betting could produce some practical alter- native scheme for discouraging betting. At present betting does not diminish ; it grows. The methods which this manifesto recommends by implication have been a notorious failure. The manifesto is disappointing. There is nothing constructive in it. We hope that the Government will not be frightened by it but will put a stamp duty on the transactions of all bookmakers legally plying their trade.
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