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NO PECKSNIFFIANISM IN AUSTRALIA A visitor in New York last week was W A Craven of Australia for twenty years Deputy Speaker of the Victoria Parliament Mr Craven said that racing in Australia as in England France Germany and other foreign countries Is virtually under the auspices of the government and that bet ¬ ting Is not only legalized but Indulged In by per ¬ sons of all classes classesAustralia Australia has not escaped the reform wave which it seems has been sweeping over the world said Mr Craven Prohibition and war on betting have claimed the attention of the people and the legislative bodies of Australia for several years While Australia is not behind other countries in Its efforts to minimize national evils the people are lovers of personal liberty and no legislation looking to a contravention of the wishes of a majority of the people would be tolerated We believe thatrer strlctions In the sale of liquor and betting are proper and the several states of Australia have en ¬ acted legislation with this end in view There la no better governed country in the world we be ¬ lieve It Is next to impossible to get a drink In the principal cities of Australia on Sunday and where a few years ago gambling was carried on in many places It has now been stamped out There Is a difference however between gambling and bet ¬ ting on the races and the legislative bodies of Aus ¬ tralia have recognized this fact factOn On all the race courses of Australia belting IB permitted on the days racing and the sport is patronized by the best people of the country includ ¬ ing high officials and legislators It Is a national sport Australia takes a national pride in her thoroughbred and the government Is doing every ¬ thing It can to foster and encourage the breeding of this noble animal It has been bur expedience that by the wise laws enacted through which the low dives and gambling dens have been wiped but specu ¬ lation at the race courses has been placed on a higb plane and has proved to be a benefit rather ttiaaa detriment to society x
