TOTALISATOR PERMITS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1924, Page 4

TOTALISATOR PERMITS

THE .MINISTER RUSIIED,

WELLINGTON, Nov. 12. Daily deputations and a heavy nuiil are features of the work of llitl .1 1011. Jt. F. Kollnrd, Minister of Internal Affairs, since Parliament authorised thirty-one extra fptnlisator permits. The rush is not confuted to country ,-lubs which have been racing without Ihe tntalisator. Some city clubs are asking for tin extra day. but it is in the highest degree unlikely that they will he obliged. The total number of applications is said lo he more than for thrice the number of permits available. Allocation is at the complete direction of the Minister of Internal Affairs, who will, however, consult the Racing Conference and Trotting Conference. Advice will he received from these bodies. and the Minister lias his independent experts at his disposal. No club is likely to obtain a permit unless racing can lie properly and safely conducted on the course, and first'consideration undoubtedly will be given to clubs in the country where there is a fair population which can he ,riven a dnv’s racing within easy reach of home, so that little travelling time will he needed to attend a meeting. A certain city area is desirous of obtaining another permit, owing to the fact that its present racing days arc badly grouped loaviius si gsip i" _ calendar which, according to that citv’s clubs, could he best tilled by an additional tntalisator day. They are likely to he met with a suggestion to rearrange their year’s programme. Mr Pollard has a difficult task to adjust conflicting claims, and lie is not exneeted to complete it, until Die middle id December. THE GAMING TXQUHIA . The Government has promised to -cl up a committee of members of Parliament to infinite into the whole qm'ftion of racing in the dominion. I Ins committee will not lie asked to report mi permits, and the matter will settled before they commence sitting in the new vear. Otherwise the order ol reference will he ns wide as possible, in view <d charges of a somewhat vague nature which have been levelled at those resnnnsiblo for the control ot racing. Tt will be competent for the members of Parliament who will -emprise the committee to consider He moral and eeononiic aspects of the m iller. also the desirability or otherwise of licensing bookmakers. All the eiidence will have to he tendered in ’A oiliugtoii, as the committee will no. travel.