THE GAMING BILL

Hokitika Guardian, 27 October 1920, Page 2

THE GAMING BILL

COUNCIL SECANTS. OLD PROVISIONS REINSTALLED. 1 (Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) | WELLINGTON, Oct. 27. 1 The Legislative Council reconsidered the Gaining Bill to-day and reversed its decision of Friday last. The 811 as it left the House provided; for the appointment of a Commission to consider the number and distribution of tote permits, Government to have the power to issue .additional permits on the recommendation of commission, subject to subsequent approval of Par inircnt the Council last week struck out the provision tor the issue of additional permits by Govermrfent. Sir Fkancis Bell in proposing the recommittal of the Bill said that nhe Council had rejected an arrangement that had been received in Lower House by way of a compromise, after a long debate. He thought that in the circumstances, he was entitled to ask for reconsideration. The two houses must work together. He thought the Council’s vote last week would be an effective indication to Government that any large increase in the number of permits would not be approved by Councillors next year.

Several members of the Council objected, but the motion for recommittal was carried by 16 votes to 10. The amendment restoring the Bill to the form in which it readied the Council, was carried by 15 votes to 10, the minority consisting of Hons. Barr, Cohen, Earnshaw, 'Hall-Jones, Jones, Mac Gibbon, MacGregor, Smith and Thompson. A warm protest against what had- occurred came back from Mr Jones who said he was humiliated. The Government in order to gain its ends bad used means that he dared not attempt to describe. After further debate the Bill was read a third time and passed.