THE RACING CLUBS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1227, 8 September 1911, Page 8

THE RACING CLUBS.

A NEW PROPOSALTO REVIVE THE COMMISSION. WHO BACKS DOWN? The Gaming Amendment Bill, by which Mr. W. T. Jennings hoped to savosomo of the country racing clubs from tho extinction with which they were threatened by the report of the Racing Commission, came before tho House of Representatives again yesterday, and members had an opportunity of discussing a proposal to refer the report back to the Committee. When the Bill was called on in Com; mittee, the Prime Minister suggested to Mr. Jennings that ho should not proceed with his Bill. He recognised that, thero was great diversify of opinion and much dissatisfaction regarding the recommendations of tho Royal Commission appointed under the Act of last session. In tho circumstances ho thought Mr. Jennings might with propriety consent to his proposal that the members of the Commission'should be called together again and opportunity given to representatives of tho country clubs placing their views beforo the Commission. It was unreasonable to expect the House to alter what it did last year, and if the Bill was proceeded with there, would be a prolonged debate without anv definite result. Tho Leader of the Opposition: Did not the Royal Commission cease to esist when it sent in its report? Sir Joseph Ward: I propose to re-form tho Commission, in order to enable it to reconsider the cose of the country clubs. Ho added that-he could communicate with the former chairman of the Commission immediately, a.r.d he believed the members could assemble, and deal with tho matter within a -week. 'Ho had not had any communication with the chairman or members yet. ' •

Of What Use. Mr. W. H. Hemes (Tauranga) suggested that the proposal might be unjust to' the clubs mentioned in the Bill. In his opinion, the 'Commission would reiterate its' recommendation, and as' its .report would probably not reach the House before the end of the session, the question was whether Mr. Jennings should take a chance with his Bill. Sir Joseph Ward: He has no chance. 3lr. Ilerries: From what I know of tho personnel of the Commission, hiy impression is that it will not-alter its report. Will the House have any opportunity of discussing any now report and of referring it back? Mr. t. M. Isitt (Christchurch North): We havo the assurance of somo of the strongest supporters of this Bill t'hat if the racing days are to be increased they will vote against the Bill. Mr. Forbes (Ifurunui) said it would bo better to have a fresh Commission, but if it' went to the old Commission tho House should have an opportunity of discussing the fresh report.

Attitude of Mr. Jennings. Mr. W. T. Jennings (Taumarunui) thanked members for the support given to his Bill. Ho was not in favour of increasing the number of racing days, but bo strongly'objected t'o taking away the licenses of the country clubs. He was prepared to accept the Prime Minister's suggestion, on condition that he should b? enabled to bring tho Bill on again, if the new report of the Commission was not satisfactory to . the majority of tho House, and that the Commission should bo instructed to report within one week. Mr. W. It! Field (Olaki) said that on account of the opposition to the Bill Mr. Jennings was probably right in accepting the Prime Minister's suggestion. He was afraid, however, that the Commission would not wish to go into the matter again, or would stick to. its. former, report. If ('he Commission would not act again, some other tribunal, say, a Minister or a magistrate should be appointed. Mr. J. V. Brown (Napier) said that any movement in the direction of saving the country clubs would have his support'.

"Government.: Climbing- Down." Mr. G." M. Thomson (Duncdin) said that the proposal was to ask the members of the Commission to do a wrong thing, and one which self-respecting men could hardly do. It looked as if the Government w,',s climbing down. He was against' the Bill and against.the totalisator altogether.' Mr. H. Poland (Ohinemuri) objected to setting up the same Commission again. It' would he simply farcical. The reportwould be on the same lines as before. Mr. D. Buick (Palmerston North) said the Commission would only give the same answer as:before. If Mr. Jennings went on at once with tho Bill, ho might be able to get somo. of tho country clubs saved, but if it were hung up until after the Commission hod reported again, nothing would be done. Mr- K. B. Ross (Pnhiahia) urged that tho Bill should be gone on with at once. Mr. J. T. Hcgan (Wanganui) took tho same .view. Ho tliaught the Minister for Internal Affairs should adiust tho nermiis Mr. C. H. Poole (Auckland West) approved of the Prime Minister's suggestion. r- „ A -J?/, G! °™r (Auckland Central) said the Bill of last year was a worthless measure so far as the people wero concerned.

The Commission Defended. Mr. Herdnian (Wellington North) said he was not' at all sure .that the complaints against the Racing Commission were justified. The Commission had great difficulties before it. In soma cases where complaints of injustice were made, the Commission, had been able to show reasons why the days of racing should be reduced. He charged the Government with indecision and weakness in listening to tho clamour in the country, and he did not believe tho Commission conld alter its report. They could not do so without fresh legislation. Did tho Prime Minister intend to introduce fresh legislation? If he were firm and had anv backbono ho would not get into 6ucfi difficulties as he was, in in the present case. Mr. Luke (Wellington Suburbs) regretted' that the time of the Houso was being taken up with this gambling question. The gambling evil was rampant throughout the country, and it was ou the increase. Ho regretted that the Government were opening up the question again. They should leave the report as it was and go on with other business.

"There Must Be No Increase." Mr. Massey (Leader of the Opposition) did not think it was at all possiole that the Commission conld report within one week. Mr. Jennings: Make it a fortnight. Mr. Massey: Perhaps they might be able to do it in a fortnight. He urged that tho point made by Mr. Herdnian should be mot. Tho new report would be valueless without new legislation. A large majority had favoured the Bill of last year, and he did not suppose they would alter their opinion, while ho believed that an injustice had been dono to some of the country clubs. But whatever changes were made they must be. ou the lines and within the four corners of last year's Act. There should bo no increase in the number of days nor in the number of permits. (Loud "Hear, hears.")' Tho Prime-Minister said his proposal was that the Commission should keep within the limitations of last year's Act. and not incrcaso tho number of days of racing or permits. Mr. Wright (Wellington South) said ho was sorry the House was in its present embarrassed position, which ho attributed to the weak action of Sir James Carroll as Acting-Premier. ' At this point Mr. Wright was stopped on a point of order. Mr. D. Guthrie (Oroua) said that if Mr. Jennings were in earnest to see justice done to the country clubs, he would insist on going on with the Bill. A Little Breeze. Mr. R. B. Ross (Pahiatua) suggested that if Mr. Jennings would not. stick to the Bill, some other members should take it up. He could not understand Mr. Jennings abandoning thoso who had been loyal to him. Tho.Bill could bo passed with an amendment limiting the days of racing. Mr. Jennings retorted that Mr. Ross had been absent from every division on the Bill. If certain members did not aceopt, the Premier's word,., he (Mr. Jennings) would. If the Commissioners refused to sit again, he would be prepared to fight hard In put the Bill through. He objected to being accused of abandoning tho Bill. Mr. G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) approved

of Mr. Jennings's altitude as iu the interests of the country club?. Hr. B. Dive (Egmont) asked under what legislative authority the Prime Minister could pet the report referred back to tho Commission. Some of the members of tho Government party had been deluded by their leader, ami that, was not itn uncommon occurrence. The Premier should declare for tho Bill or against it Who Composed the Speech? Mr. Ross said ho could not allow tho remarks Df Mr. Jennings to pass unnoticed. His absence from some of the previous proceedings on the Bill was due, as members knew, to illness in his family, and he was paired with Mr. Ell. When he looked back three or four weeks, and reviewed the conduct of Mr. Jennings in regard to this Bill, he was forced to question whether he could bo as. seriated with Mr. Jennings anv more. (Oh! Oh!) Ho had assisted • Mr. Jennings in connection with tho Bill, and he believed that tho speech iu which Mr. Jennings moved'tho second reading of the Bill was written by himself (Mr..Koss). (Much laughter.) He attended meetings of members favourable to tho Bill; at tho invitation of Mr. Jennings, and his remarks at ono of the meet, ings impressed the member in charge of the Bill as of such value that he requested him to put them in writing so that ho could use them as arguments in favour of tho Bill. "I did so," continued Mr. Bess, "and he palmed them 'off as his own, and now he has tho calm effrontery to say that I was not interested in this Bill. Ho knows that mv absence was due to iUue.-s in my family.'' A member: But you left your speech behind. Mr. Ross: I'm sorry I didn't leave it in better hands. Amusement. Mr. Glover had the Houso in fits of laughter over his remarks. "Stick to your Bill," ho advised Mr. Jei.nir.gs in conclusion, 'and you'll put it on the Statute Book, and immortalise your Lame in New Zealand." (Laughter.) , Mr. Pearce (Patea) was against reporting progress. Tho countrv clubs, he said, should got their permits back. He urged members to fight for the Bill. Mr. Newman complained of injustice done to the country'clubs. He advised Mr. Jennings to stick to his Bill. He would, however, move an amendment to Clause 33. He had not been consulted about this Had ho been consulted he cculd have arranged a way out of the difficulty. It. was unfair to put a clauso iii the Bill such ns Clause H without consulting the member for the district.

Mr. Poole (Auckland West) said he was opposed to the measure, which was absolutely crude in its construction. Mr. Jennings said it was the leading lawyer of Wellington who drafted the Bill—Mr. If. D. ifell, the legal representative of the country clubs.i

Still Sarcastic. Mr. Boss said it was perhaps just as well to report progress on the Bill because what he (Mr. Ross) had said had sunk so deep into Mr. Jennings' nature that ho had evidently forgotten what hon. members who had beo.i on their feet had said. If (hey reported progress the hon. member for Taumarunui might get into such r. frame of mind as'vculd enable him to cool down.

Mr. C. Hall (Waipawa) again expressed himself in favour of tho Bill. The city members were trying to defeat it, and gamblers'and non-gamblers were in league against it. (No, no.) He advised the House to accopt the Prime Minister's suggestion.

' Mr. Glover, on rising again, was greeted with cries of "Don't stonewall." Ho disclaimed any intention to do so. He hoped Mr. Jennings would go on with tho Bill. Mr. A. Myers (Auckland East) approved of Mr. Jennings's position.

The Prime Minister Again. | Sir Joseph Ward said that in any coiin- I try in tho world where a commission had I been'set up, it would be considered highly, improper to pass fresh legislation without reference to it. They should have the opportunity to reconsider the report, 1 though they might not accept it. If they I said they would not sit, or would not alter their findings, the House would have the fullest opportunity of dealing with tho Bill. These gentlemen, who wore virtually being tried by this proposal for ■legislation;- should' bo given' nil' bfrnortuh'ity,"' of reconsidering the point.that had been complained of in regard to injustice to somo of the country clubs. Every member of the Hbuso should know that- tho Bill could not be passed at tho present stage. If they tried to go on with it, the Bill would remain before the House .for a couple of days. Mr. Jennings stated that he had consulted with four other members, who represented country clubs, before taking up this course of action. It was approved bv Messrs. Colviu, Field, Forbes, and Clark, as well ns by himself. He hoped tho House would proceed to vote.

Progress Reported. Mr. G. Anderson (Mataura) asked whether it was intended to increase tho aggregate days of racing; or to take away from tho metropolitan clubs the days given to the couutry clubs.

Mr. G. W. Russell (Avon) did not think for one moment that the Commission could re-assemble and reconsider its report. If the Prime Minister said that the' Government was entitled to call the Commission together again and say that its work had not bees completed, he would ask at what point it would be completed. The only way now to increase the number,of totalisator permits was by legislation. Therefore the suggestion of tho Prime Minister was reasonable. If the hon. gentleman who had introduced the Bill could not get any satisfaction from the Commission he would have an opportunity of apin coming to the House and taking what ho could get. In his (Mr. Russell's) opinion that was very little. ■ Mr. F. Mander (Marsden) urged that progress should be reported. At worst, little harm would be done by letting existing legislation run its course for a year. The motion to report progress, with leave to sit again, was carried by 52 votes to 11.