THE GAMING BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 13 October 1920, Page 1

THE GAMING BILL

further particulars of

DISCUSSION. (Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) " WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. The long stone-wall on Mr .Hunter’s Gaming Amendment Bill ended in a compromise. At 7*30 the House ad-i journed for breakfast and on returning at nine, Mr .Massey then said lie thought that the House had £aken upj just about sufficient time over the Bill., There was nothing new in obstruction 1 and it was the easiest thing in the world to delay the business of House; and country. He had had some little experience in that connection himself. He thought that the proper thing to do was to allow the majority to rule. A division had shown that by more than, two to one, a majority of the House was tn favour of Urn Bill. He agreed that the distribution of permits wasnot satisfactory. .He could not ignore, the division that lmd taken place, nor could he allow any more time to be taken up, unless a majority of fhe House insisted upon it. He proposed to recommend the Cabinet to set up a Commission to go into the whole: question. .j Mr Lysnar—Let us go on with tho Bill.

Mr Massey—No, I have the responsibility to the country, and I have to get through the business of the Mouse. There is a great deal to be done. Mr Hunter, the member in. charge oh, the Bill, said he thought the , House, would have to accept the position as outlined by the Prime Minister. “I, very much regret,” he said, ‘‘that we have got into this position, but I feel that the Prime Minster is the person who is entitled to say how the business of the House should be conducted. It is a great disappointment to us, who have sat up all night, to see that the Prime,Minister is not able to give time for further discussion on the Bill. However, I think he has gven the House a very reasonable time and in that time we haye not been able to accomplish our object, on account of the opposition offered, by a small section of the House.

Mr Isitt who had been prominent among the stonewallers said that if the .Prime Minister was willing to set up a Commission that would take evidence on all sides, and if the Commisson reported to the House, the opponents of the Bill would then recognise that the matter lmd been before the, country and the position would be very different. Mr Massey indicated in answer to questions that the country districts would have the right to recommend additional permits. If it was possible for, te Commission to report before the end of the session, legislation would be brought down during the present session. If not, lie would consult the Crown jbn"' officers,to see whether it was possible to put legislation on the Statute Book' allowing Government to give effect to the recommendations of the Commission.

Several members Avere umvilling, to aive up the fight, and considerable diseussion followed. Finally Mr Massey moved that the committee repoit piO” gress and ask for leave to sit again. He explained that the Government could take up a private members’ bill Avitliout having to go over again the stages that the Bill had already passed.