GAMING LAWS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1929, Page 7

GAMING LAWS

OVERHAUL NEXT SESSION ?

BILL PRACTICALLY CERTAIN.

WELLINGTON, March 1

There is every prospect that .Parliament, during the next session will devote. a good deal of attention to a review of the existing gaining laws.

The opportunity for this overhaul will lie provided if, as is believed will no the ease, Sir George Hunter (Waipawa) reintroduces his Gaming Amendment Bill, which was before, hut did not proceed far in, the last Parliament. The main provisions of that Bill were for the publication of dividends, for the telegraphing of investments to the course, and for the recognition of the double machine. It is stated by reliable observers that the new House will he more favourably inclined to the passage of such a measure than was the last, and that if the legislation comes forward there will he a majority for at least the publication of dividends and telegraphic clauses. Everywhere during his visit north, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. P. A. de la Perelle), who has returned to Wellington, was urged by deputations representing sports interests to officially support the two clauses referred to. It was impressed on the Minister that if such legislation were passed by Pariianient it would not have Die effect of increasing gambling, b of stabilising and directing the investments through the proper channel—the totalisator—and, in addition, of placing an effective check on tli'e operations of the bookmakers. A ftirthc point made by the deputations was that telegraphic hotting would provide a source of revenue to the Stab and assist the smaller dubs to earn*

TOTALISATOR PERMTTS

Many applications are being receiv’d by the Minister of Internal Affairs from, racings clubs in both islands for the loan of one of the two totalisator permits, termed by tbe racing fraternity “floaters,” by reason of their not having been permanently allocated. The Minister was waited upon by tbe racing clubs of all the districts be visited in tbe north for a loan of the lermits. which, for the present racing •enson were loaned to the Wliangarei md Waverley clubs.

Speaking to a “Dominion” reporter '•esterdny, Mr de la Perelle said be could easily see after bis travels in the north that the temporary allocation of the floating permits was going to present some difficulty. “There are very many clubs deserving of assistance and consideration.” he added. “I intend to weigh the claims of each club very carefully before I make the allocation ; but I must say that I have a problem to decide, since there are so many clubs catering for the racing public that need assistance.”