THE GAMING LAW.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 869, 15 July 1910, Page 4

THE GAMING LAW.

THE PRIME MINISTER'S PROPOSALS. In the House of Representatives yesterday the Prime Minister gave notice of his intention to bring down on next Bitting day resolutions as under: "That in the opinion of this House the provision in the Gaming Act, 1908, relating to the . licensing of bookmakers should lie repealed." "That in the opinion of this House the use of the totalisator should be prohibited by law." "That in the opinion uf this House provision should be made by law for the reduction of the annual number of days of racing and also that the number of totalisator permits issued throughout the Dominion should be reduced by one half." A lengthy discussion in regard to these proposals is expected in the House today. The resolutions will provide ah occasion upon which members will have to declare " their views on the subject. That a number of amendments may be moved is not considered unlikely. In regard to the method which is being adopted in bringing t'ho matter before the House a prominent member told a Dominion reporter last night that it was an evidence of weakness on the part of : the Government, and to his mind somewhat unconstitutional. "Why," he asked, "does the Government not bring down a Bill right away dealing in a comprehensive and effective manner with the whole subject? The House of Representatives," he continued, "is only one part of the Parliament and it is not right to decide the matter by a resolution vote in the House. Possibly a vote on similar resolutions may also be taken in the Upper House, but supposing the two Houses disagree in regard to the resol'ntions ? What would the position be then?"