GAMING BILL.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1924, Page 4

GAMING BILL.

LIVELY DEBATE IN HOUSE. WELLINGTON, October 7. When tho debate on the second reading stage of the Gaming Act Amendment Bill "as commenced there was early evidences that last session’s experience of stonewall debating tactics would be repeated,

Hon. R. F. Bollard, (Minister of Internal Affairs), in moving the second reading, stated that the Rill was identical with that of last year, excepting the deletion of a clause giving the police greater power to eject persons from racecourses. 'There was a discussion of nine hours on the last occasion, and lie suggested to a smiling House that in view of this long talk there would he little left to say on the present occasion.

Air Al’Combs: Will you indicate who will get the various extra permits? Air Bollard: I intend to take the advice of the Racing ami Trotting Conferences. Air Nash: You will not he hound by it ? Air Hollaed: No, but I want their advice. Air Wilford: A'ou will not necessarily take it. (Laughter.) Air Bollard added that the extra permits provided in the Bill were really for country dubs. 'There was a growing demand throughout the Dominion for permits, and there were not half enough to satisfy the demand. “If brevity is the soul of wit the Alinistcr is a humorist,’’ commented Mr AYilford, who quickly showed that he was endeavouring to win the same reputation, as he assured the House that those who wished to show their friendliness to the measure would say very little about it. lie noted that it was a non-party measure. 'Tlie recent commission recommended eleven days’ extension of existing licenses and four teen days’ new licenses. That excluded the question of redistribution. 'The statutory number of days for racing and trotting was 288, of which number IGS were used during Christmas, Easier, public: holidays and Saturdays. The hulk of tlie remainder were used on local holidays. Anniversary Day, etc. He concluded hy remarking, amidst laughter, that as lie thought the second reading would go through fairly simply he would not take up any more time. Air .Rotter, in a vigorous speech opposing the Bill, said the Prime Alinistcr had promised a select committee. ATr Alasscy: For the Bill. Air Tsitt directed attention to the economic aspect, reminding the House of a declaration bv tho Prime Alinistcr several years ago that there was too much gambling, and lie was not sure whether he would not vote against the ifotalisator. The volume of totalisator hefting then was £1,800.01)0, but now it was ton millions, lie also remembered a spasm of righteous indignation by the leader of tlie Opposition on account of the great development of betting. Apparently they had discovered that betting was a

manly British occupation, bill lie believed that- the real reason for their change of front was flint there was such strong political influence behind this “Sport of Kings’’ that members of the House, were afraid to express their wishes. .Members: Withdraw t Air Isitt: I withdraw. I sav they are too politic to express their convictions, though outside this House they will admit that the gambling evil lias leached a volume which is a menace to the community. Air J.siit declared that many inlluential men were prepared to determine their votes on the question whether a racing ..permit was obtainable. While the country was still struggling in the aftermath of the war with economic and financial difficulties the House was actually considering an increase in gambling permits. Mr Witty asked if the I‘tiliie .Minister would honour his promise to icier the whole matter to a cfinmiittee for inquiry and evidence. Air Edie : A waste of time. The member for Riccnrlnn advocated the licensing of bookmakers. which would mean £BOXOO or COO,OOO extra revenue to tlie State. It would he far belter to get revenue in a legitimate way than allow an illegitimate business to go on. Afr Langstone suggested that there wore such vast sums depending on racing that it was quite easy for little “jokes’’ to he worked. Air Langstone condemned the practice of racing clubs ■ offering faeilifes for bolting hy accepting cheques on payment of bets. Air Lee said that if the Bill passed he hoped no more permits would In’ granted to metropolitan clubs for lacing on Labour Day, public holidays and Saturdays. Afr Wrigld deprecated the granting of any more permits. He favoured redistribution of existing permits. Afr Holland regretted that the House could not develop as much interest in important questions as it evidently did on this subordinate liin.t.ler. Personally he favoured granting permits to country clubs, but preferably by means of redistribution. Ho favoured curtailment of some of the powers of the Racing Conference. He wished to see the Bill go before a special committee in the hope that it might le

brought more closely into line with the policy of the Labour Party, the only party in the ffonse which had a policy with regard to the Rill. AVlien

the 'Rill reached the committee stage Hie Labour Pally would maintain a prolonged fight to amend the measure in tho interests of jockeys and the general public. The Hon. A. T). McLeod defended the Racing Conference. Mr do la Perrelle .supported the extra permits proposed in the Rill and he favoured publication of dividends in the Press. All- Savage said lie was not opposed to lacing. .People could race on every day in the week if they liked, hut noL under present conditions. lie wished to have a complete investigation into racing methods, many of which were distinctly dangerous. The Hon. .T. Cl. Contes said the Racing Conference would have no objection to any inquiry that might lie held into their conduct. They had nothing to hide anil would lie only too glad that the public should be fully informed of their proceedings. There was no strnightcr man than tho president of the Racing Conference, anil he was surrounded by a lxidy of able men, who gave their sen-ices grntituously in the pure love of sport and love of the horse.

The Hon. D. Buddo did not object to racing and would vote for the second reading of the Bill. At tho same time be did not wish to sec racing take such a place in our daily life as to interfere with the industry and production of the country. The second reading was agreed to and the Hon. R. F. Bollard stated he would give notice on AVednesdny to set up a select committee to consider the Bill.