TOTALISATOR PERMITS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2288, 23 October 1914, Page 8

TOTALISATOR PERMITS

PLEA FOR,COUNTRY CLUBS. A deputation • representing the Country Racing Clubs' Association waited upon the Hon."H. D. Bell, Minister of Internal Affairs;:with reference' to the allocation of the additional totalisator permits available under the, Gaming Amendment Act, 1914. There were pre-' sent the Hon. W.' H. Homes, Mr: D. H. Guthrie, M.P., Sir. E. AW Alison,'; and Mr. Bruce, president of the association. .'.'."••. Mr. Bruce said that if the permits' available were 'restored to. the clubs which previously had permits; it would he doing an act of justice which no one would find fault with. If'it had not been for the agitation kept up by'.these clubs Mr. Hunter's ■ Bill would probably not have been passed: The association put in a strong claim for the clubs that had been deprived of their licenses., Mr. Alison said it was felt, that' an injustice had been done to the country clubs by the _ recommendation of the Racing Commission. Now that fifteen' permits were available, it was felt by the association that, subject to the clubs which had previously held permits still in existence, and to the whole ot the surrounding circumstances ■ justifying' such a stey, the permits generally should be*Testored to.tnem. They askedthat the association should have a voice in l the allocation of the fifteen u«w licenses. The Hon. Mr. Bell said that the position undeV the Bill was that every applicant must be considered. Applications would be received from any club desirous of applying. Ho agreed generally with the points presented by the' association, and was grateful for their .offer of assistance. •' What the Government had arranged was tin's: No permits would bo granted until after' the General Election. - Ho could not have it imputed to the Government that the gTants were jobbed in any way. An advertisement would appear in the "Gazette," and the '.'Referee." Application would be invited from any club that desired to advance its claims up to December 10, after which no application would bo received. Ho had asked a member from each side of the House—Messrs. Hunter and Davey (who also represented the two islands) —to go round and see the courses and give him general advice. Ho would also ask the Racing Conference for their advice, and would similarly consult the Trotting <3onference. The Hunts he would have to deal with himself. He would pay attention to what their association recommended, but the ultimate decision must be with the Minister. Though he was glad to have advice, tho responsibility was with him, and ho did not-want to shirk it. He had taken the courso which seemed best to get rid of political bias, and in tho_ multitude of counsellors he hoped to arrive' at a fair solution. He could not give the absolute right of guidance to the association any more than To the Trotting Conference, but would naturally be guided by people of experience.