TOTALISATOR PERMITS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 128, 23 October 1914, Page 4

TOTALISATOR PERMITS.

THB SCRAMBLB COMMENGEg. ! 'i 3JBJ MINISTER'S SENSIBLE i/TTI- ■ '■ WDtt ; By Telegraph.—Per Presß Association, l Wellington, Last Night A deputation representing the Coontry Racing Clubs Association waited «Bh ,' •a the Hon. H. D. Bell, Minister for fa- , ternal Affairs, with reference to tiaallocation of addition totalisator per- : " mits available under tho Gaming Amendment Act, lflH., Those present wera -<" Hon. W. H. Herries, Mr. 1). H. Guthri» r - l M.P., Mr. E. W. Alison, and Mr. Bruov president of the Association. Mr. Bruce remarked that if the pern - mits available were restored to tka- -,', clubs which previously had permits, as, ': act of justice would be done which »♦ . i one could find fault with; If it ha* uot been for the agitation kept up by . these clubs, Mr. Hunter's Bill would probably not have been passed. I Mr. Allison said it was felt that an injustice had been done to country cluba by tlie recommendations of the Racing Commission. Now that fifteen permit* were available, it was felt by the Association that, subject to the clubs which;, had previously held permits being still in existence, and to the whole surrounding circumstances justifying such a step,. toe permits generally should be restored, to them. They asked that the Association 'should have a voice in tho allocation of the fifteen new licenses. The Hon. H. D. Bell, in reply, stated that the position under the -Bill was. that every applicant must be considered. lApplications would be reseived noa clubs desirous of applying. He agreed. generally with the points raised by tha Association and was grateful for their offer of assistance. What tho Government had arranged was this: No permits would be granted until after the general election. He could not have it imputed to the Government that grants were "jobbed" in any way, ind an advertisement wou/d appear in use Gazette and Referee. Applications would be invited from any club-that desired to advance its claims, up to December 10, after which no application would be received. He had asked a member from each side of the House, Messrs Hunter and Davey (who also represented the two Islands) to go round and see the courses and to givo him general advice. He would also ask the Racing Gpnferenoe for advice, and would similarly consult the Trotting Conference. Hunts &e would have to deal with himself. He would pay attention to what their association recommended, but the ultimata decision muet bo with the Minister. He I had taken the course which seemed beat to get rid of political bias, and in the multitude of counsellors he hoped to arj rive at a fair solution. He could not give the absolute right" of guidance to the association, any more than to th» Trotting Conference, but ho would naturally be guided by people of esperien*.