Detailed information regarding the methods favoured by the Counil in the proposed campaign against gambling in the Settlement was given to the "North-China Daily News" on October 24 by a high official. The information was in the form of answers to a questionnaire on important phases of the situation, The answers, which, with the! relative questions, are given below, show that the Council is mainly Jeoncerned with the Chinese clement {in local gambling and has examined the situation as it affects them [from all aspects before giving definite consideration. The question of greyhound racing outside Settlement jurisdiction is dealt} with, as also is the position of companies similarly engaged in the! Settlement which have registered themselves under the Hongkong Companies Ordinances but have, not obtained Municipal licences. us and answers are What is the position of greyhound racing companies which are registered under Hongkong Ordinances, ie. under British company) Inw, and operate as British associations? Will they come within the scope of any effort by the International Settlement authorit to] suppress or limit greyhound racing?
'A. Sach companies may have registered under the Hongkong Ordinances but have not obtained any licence to operate from the Shanghai Municipal Council. While they may think that registration lurider' the Hongkong Ordinances is tantamount to operating in accord ance with British law, they do not fai6i the requirements of British law, Greyhound racing in Britain under the "Tote." In _addition, admission to such racing in Britain) is strictly paid for and tracks are strictly controlled. This is not the lease in Shanghai, How is it proposed to deal pony racing within or without the Settlement?
'A. Pony racing, due to very limited meetings "(which, in- the! case of one local club, were only 1G yearly) and strict supervision, lof minor importance in relation to the whole question of unrestricted gambling, In comparison, there are gambling places which operate seven days and nights a week and others where two or three nights a week is the average. These places attract a very undesirable type of character, which is not in evidence in pony racing.
Q. How is it proposed to deal! with greyhound racing in the French Concession, which is bound to affect any attenipt by the Settlement to get rid of local gambling?
A. There is no doubt about operation by the French and Chin-Jose authorities, who will work hand in hand with the Settlement if any definite steps are eventually- decid ed on, The possibility of those who wish to gamble going to French territory in the event of suppression in the Settlement is Q. What would be the position respecting greyhound racing asaojeiations in Chinese territory adja-Jeent to or abutting on Settlement} territory?
'A, We are confident we could take whatever action was necessary with the full ce-operation of all others possibly concerned.
Q. What would be the exact} measures to enforce regulations against gambling as it affects the individ 'A. All Chinese gambling or attending such places for the purpose of gambling would be dealt with under Chinese law, to which they are subject. Since Chinese are by far the principal supporters of greyhound racing and other forms fof gambling in the Settlement this [step would deprive gambling centres of most of their income. Foreigners og an element in such gambling are negligible by _comparison. The type of Chinese attending such racing is not drawn from the moneyed classes. They are obviously people who cannot afford; to gamble. Foreigners, especially, }do not recognize this as they are usually in reserved seats where they see little of what actually goes fon. The same applies to a certain form of gambling in the Concession which runs every day in the week, including Sunday, auf at which bets of $10 are the rule rather than the exception.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.