With Mr. Seebahm Rowtntree's pertinent comments (in a letter in
Monday's Times) on the fact that at a time of an acute shortage of man-power something between 3oo,00o and 400,000 persons are employed in the betting trade I have the strongest sympathy. This is not merely a superfluous, it is a definitely demoralising, industry. Yet not only are its organisers free to employ as many people as they choose, they can actually secure them through the Government Employment Exchanges. But to the question what can be done about it there is no satisfactory answer. In peace-time you cannot allocate man-power at will, and the betting industry is not illegal. Nor, manifestly, is it particularly amenable to public opinion. To recognise the disease is something ; anyone who could suggest a
practicable remedy would be a public benefactor.
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