THE GAMING BILL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 22 November 1907, Page 2

THE GAMING BILL.

Per I'ress Association. Wellington, Wednesday. When the ilouse of Kepraencucives met this morning, the Premier moved the second reading of the Warning and Lotteries Act Amendment. He said he had seen many cases where young men had been ruined as a consequence of the easy methods of betting on horse-racing which the Bill proposed to abolish. Under the Bill it was proposed to confine races to the racecourses. Clause 29 prohibited officers from accepting telegraphic instructions as to investments on the totalisator. Clause 30 prohibited betting telegrams of any description from lieing delivered at racecourses. Clause 31 prohibited advertisements as to betting on horse races. The Premier added that in committee he would move a new clause to prohibit the distribution or posting up of any particulars (excepting on racecourses) relating to betting.

Mr Herries said gambling was prevalent, but whether the Bill would suppress the evil was open to doubt. He: agreed with the general policy of the Bill, but would move certain amendments in committee. Mr Fisher said he had an amendment which would not interfere with the progress of the Bill, but would give the ilouse the opportunity of voting on two straight-out issues—(1) "That the House is of opinion that the time has arrived when the Government should cease to participate in the revenue from totalisator licenses." (2) "That the number of racing days throughout the Dominion should be.reduced." The Premier said that if Mr Fisher desired to kill the Bill he had gone the right way to do it. Mr Fisher said that if that were so he would withdraw the amendments, provided similar amendments could be moved in committee. The Speaker ruled that this could be done.