[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—Many of your readers
will wish success to the appeals your -columns for the introduction of the totalisator and for, taxation on betting. You cannot possibly stop betting, the speculative propensity is too strong, everyday life is in many, respects a gamble in itself. One' buys stocks or shares in a ' company. What is this but a wager that the concern may make good, may pay a dividend, and that yam.. holding may increase in value in spite of the activities of the Bulls arid Bears of the Stock Exchange ? You back a horse to run first past the post. What difference is there in these two transactions—both dangerous ventures which do not always materialize, both venial sins at the most. The Bulls and Bears are allowed to bargain in the streets to the disturbance of peaceful citizens. The poor, man is not allowed to wager in
the streets, whereas the rich have only to mount a few steps to the agent's office and wager any sum they like.
The law as it now stands leads to all sorts of abuses ; if re- formed it would put betting on a more respectable footing. Do away with many of the deceits and subterfuges which are practised by the poorer classes when making their bets. It would also prevent a good deal of rowdyism and help the police in their increasing troubles with the racing crowds. The totali- sator has proved itself a great success on the Continent and in our Dominions. It gives the exact odds (which you do not get elsewhere), eliminates welshing, and prevents other disorders. It has the great merit of being a ready-money transaction which puts some limits to one's losses and saves many an indi- vidual racing disaster.
Eleven million pounds passed through the New Zealand totalisators in one year. The population is about five millions. I leave statistics of what this sum would amount to in England to the experts, but it would in any case be something con- siderable. One hopes the Chancellor of the Exchequer will take advantage of this source of income, bring in the necessary reform, and let the unfortunate backers have the consolation of knowing that a percentage of their losses has gone to the benefit of the State.—I am, Sir, &c.,
50 Gillingham Street, S.W.1. F. DES VOEUX.
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