Churchmen Assail Racing Conference

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 730, 1 August 1929, Page 1

Churchmen Assail Racing Conference

GAMING BILL QUESTION PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. A strong protest against the provisions of the Gaming Amendment, which has been introduced into Parliament by the member for Waipawa was made to Sir Joseph Ward today by a deputation representing the Wellington Ministers’ Association. The Rev. Mr. Harry, the principal spokesman, said that, as churches, they desired to express astonishment that a member of the Cabinet had deemed it wise to speak repeatedly of the measure as likely to reach the Statute Books. They felt sure he had not the Prime Minister and Cabinet behind him. Mr. Harry congratulated Sir Joseph Ward upon the stand he had taken in the past, and said they regarded it as a piece of absolute and unwarrantable impudence for the racing clubs to ask that the Telegraph Department should be used to foster a national vice. After covering a wide field of objections, they asked Sir Joseph Ward to exercise his authority and show that the Racing Conference did not govern New Zealand.

• Sir Joseph Ward said he was pleased to have the views of the deputation, and would decide upon what attitude Cabinet would adopt in connection with the Bill. He recognised the question was of far-reaching importance. Cabinet had not yet considered the proposal, for they were waiting for developments, and these developments were showing themselves in the House at the present time. Before the Bill was dealt with in the House, the representations made by the various parties would be considered carefully. It was necessary for him to tell the deputation that the question was a most ticklish one. He did not know what the feeling of the House was, but, as far as the Government was concerned, its attitude would be plainly stated in the House at the proper time.