GAMING BILL.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1923, Page 2

GAMING BILL.

INCREASE IN PERMITS

WELLINGTON, Aug 12.

The Primo Minister has stated definitely that a Gaming Bill will be introduced in Parliament this session. Much interest has boen taken in this pvonouiement by all who are interested in horse racing. 1\ hen the Prime Minister spoke on the subject on Friday afternoon, the Bill had not been finauy considered by Cabinet. No definite iinnouicement can therefore be made as to its contents.

Mr Massey has, however.- on more than one occasion given is at his opinion that the report of the Racing Commission. which was presented to Parliament- in 1921, was a very good report, therefore it may be taken for granted that a redistribution of totalisator permits, and a slight increase of such permits will be proposed. It may also be taken for granted that there will be some reduction of taxation, more particularly, perhaps, in regard ot the stakes provided by tlie clubs. In view of the early appearance of the new Bill, it will be of interest to give a brief synopsis of the main findings of tlie Racing Commission. It proposed to eliminate the proprietary clement in racing. One of the most important findings of the Commission, was that it would lie highly undesirable, either by a redistribution of licenses hitherto granted or by the addition of new licenses or otherwise, to increase materially the volume of totalisator betting. While making this recommendation, however, the Commission added that there were anomalies in the present distribution ol licenses which should bo rectified, and that isolated districts should receive special consideration. To achieve any approach to accurate justice, the Commission suggested that a certain measure of distribution was imperative, and the issue of a certain number of licenses unavoidable. It was suggested that to achieve redistribtion, certain clubs enjoying privileges beyond their inst deserts or beyond the reasonable recreation requirements of their respective districts, should .suffer curtailment. and the others which have outlived their usefulness, and are not really necessary to the district they purport t-o serve, should disappear from the racing map altogether. In regard to metropolitan clubs, tlie Commission considered them to be national institutions, catering according to high standards, not only for the Hop-illation in their immediate vicinity, hut for the racing community at large, and that therefore they should not he interferred with, except for grave reason. The suburban clubs, the Commission considered to be in quite a difleront position, and entailed to much less respect and consideration. On the other hand, the Commission was of opinion that country dubs should receive more sympathetic consideration than formerly. At the same time there was in certain quarters a congestion of country clubs that should be relieved to some extent.

Though this foreast of the Bill is not. official, it will probably be found to be accurate. In tlie present House a Bill on those lines should stand a good etianoo of being passed.