HOW THE BATTLE BEGAN.

Shannon News, 24 October 1924, Page 4

HOW THE BATTLE BEGAN.

LAST NIGHT’S DEBATE. WELLINGTON, Last Night, What must be regarded as the real fight on the Gaming Bill commenced this afternoon when the Committee stage of the measure was undertaken. As soon as the chairman of Committees attempted to hurry the short title through Mr J. A. Lee, the Labour member for Auckland East, was on his feet to talk his full time. Mr L. M. laitt (Christchurch North) followed and attempted to increase the scope open to him by v making references to the principal Act. Mr Massey protested the chairman ruled against Mr Isitt and the Speaker was called in and upheld the chairman. This decision is likely to curtail the length of the debate somewhat. Mr Massey took a hand in the discussion half way through the afternoon, but, while stating his position, indicated that he did not intend to assist, by talking, those who were endeavouring to block the Bill. He said the position was that the Bill had been promised and that he had fulfilled his promise by bringing it in. It was not a Party measure and the House was free to vote as it thought fit. However, the voting which had taken place on Wednesday morning indicated that there was a big majority for the Bill and he did not see that in a democratic country ah attempt should be made to flout the wishes of the majority.

MAKING GAME OP GAMING BILL Mr H. E. Holland humourously said he could npt lay claim to the wide knowledge of betting and horseracing possessed by Messrs R. A.. Wright and L. M. Isitt, a knowledge that could only have come to them from practical experience. (Laughter) Mr Holland proceeded to a short discussion of gambling and gave instances in trade that he said weie gambling. To an interjection by Mr W. D. Lysnar he smartly retorted that there was gambling even in wool, and the House and galleries, remembering Mr Lysnar’s experience with his wool during the war, again laughed heartily. The House was in a merry mood, having got rid of its tiredness for the time being, and Mr Wright caused further amusement by quoting an old speech of Mr H. Poland's against gambling and urging that there were too many racing permits. Even the Leader of th e Liberal party had voted on one occasion against street-betting. Mr Wright succeeded in drawing Mr Poland, who said he never made it a practice to look back oni the speeches of the past. He (Mr Poland) recognised that as the years went on one gradually enlarged one’s views and got a proper outlook not only on the vii'tues but also on .the sins of this world. (Laughter,). •Mi\J?oland said that when he came into the House he said he was en _ thusiastic about many reforms. He had then urged the closing of hotels at six o’clock, but it had taken a long time before that reform was carried. In 1907, when he made that speech, he felt there were too many race meetings. As a matter of fact, there were seven more race days than there are to-day, although the population had increased to 11 million. Moreover, there were other parts of the country populated now that had not a soul in them,then. He had not now said that he wtis in favour oi more permits. , A member: But you are, aren’t you? Mr Poland: I have not committed myself, and when the division comes I will be found voting an one lobby or the other. (Laughter.) Moreover, added Mr Poland, in humorous vein, there were bookmakers in 1907; there are no bookmakers liow, (Laughter.) Bookmaking has been made illegal. The late Minister of Justice, the Hon. E. P. Lee, admitted that he could not find any bookmakers, though he had tried very hard and the present Minister of Justice, the Hon. C. J. Parr, had also tried and had failed to find any. (Laughter.) It was a well-known fact that the bookmakers had left this (Much Laughter.) :