MORE RACING.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1920, Page 7

MORE RACING.

STONEWALL LASTS ALL NIGHT. SECOND READING CARRIED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Oct. 12. After the telegraph office closed at 2 a.m., Mr. A. T. Ngata (Eastern Maori) continued, hie argument in opposition to the Gaming Amendment Bill, and, at the conclusion of his speech, moved an amendment that the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Speaking to the amendment, Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) contended that there was no pressure of public opinion behind the Bill. He asked the Premier to postpone the measure, so that the public might have an opportunity of saying how it regards the Bill. A commission should be appointed to take evidence and readjust tho existing permits. Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) contended that the Bill had been introduced by the vested interests of racing clubs, who were prepared for the campaign, but the great body of the public were taken by surprise and had no opportunity of organising opposition. Time should be given them to do this. Time should also be given to the 'Government to get up a commission, when it might be found that this proposed increase would not be necessary. Mr. C. C. Statham (Dunedin Central) supported the amendment to give an opportunity of having a readjustment of permits made, especially in the interests of hunt clubs.

Dr. A. K. Newman (Wellington East) favored "giving the Bill six months," because it would give the Minister of Internal Affairs time to go into the whole j question and determine just how mam" permits should be issued. At 3.25 a.m. a division was taken on the amendment, which was defeated by 36 votes to 14. The debate on the main ru-r.tion was then resumed by Mr. .T. V. Dickson (Chalmers), who opposed the Bill. Mr. H. K. Holland (Buller) supported the Bill in order to keep a pledge he gave the trottrtg clubs, but when in committee he proposed to move a new clause giving tho people the right to say whether they wanted the totalisator or not. Personally he thought they did. If so, they should have it. The Hon. J. A. Hanan thought that, in view of the wide differenco of opinion existing on the subject, the Bill shoujd be referred to a special committee to take evidence and report on it. Parliament should do its own work and take the responsibility. , Mr. Hanan therefore moved that a special committee of the House be appointed to take evidence and report on the Bill this session, the committee to consist of Messrs Hunter, Isitt, Statham, Witty, Glen, Savage, Field, Jones, Kellett, the Hon, E. P. Lee, and the Hon. G. J. Anderson.

The Speaker ruled that it was not competent to moTe that amendment at , that time. [ Mr. Hanan intimated that he would move it at a later stage. ■Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) then proceeded to oppose the Bill because there was no evidence that the people wanted such a measure. For that reason he moved an adjournment of the debate; this failing'to find a seconder. The motion that the Bill be read a second time was put at 4.10 a.m. by the Speaker, its opponents evidently being caught napping. The division resulted, 35 votes for and 13 against, the following being the division list:— Ayes (35): Messrs Bartram, Bollard, Coates, J. S. Dickson, Field, Glenn, Guthrie, Hanan, Harris, Hawken, Henare, Hockly, Holland, Horn, Hudson, Hunter, Lysnar, McCallum, McLeod, McNicol, Nash, Nosworthv, Parry, Pomare Potter, Powdrell, R. H. Rhodes, T. W. Rhodes, Savage, R. W,. Smith, S, 0. Smith, Sykes, Veitch, Wilford, Wittv. Noes (13): J. M. Dickson, Edie, A. Hamilton, J. R. Hamilton, Isitt, Jones, Kellett, McCombs, Malcolm, Masters, Mitchell, Ngata, Statham. Pairs: For, Messrs Mander, Campbell, ytfung, Herries, Massey, Reed, Thacker, Uru, Brown, Atraore, Howard, and Seddon. Against, Messrs Lee, Anderson, Parr, Luke, Wright. Sullivan, Craigie, Burnett, Kitchener, and Stewart. Mr. Hanan then moved an amendment that the Bill be referred to a special committee of the Houje to take evidence and report. Mr. Isitt appealed to Mr. Hunter to accept this, reasonable proposal, Mr. Hunter said the proposal was unreasonable. He asked members supporting him to stand bv him and force the Bill through. Mr. J. R. Hamilton (Awarua) said that, in visw of the new attitude adopted by Mr. Hunter, it became the duty of those opposing the Bill to fight it at' every stage.

At 5.35 a.m. the amendment was defeated by 31 votes to 14. The house went into committee, when Mr. Isitt immediately moved that'progress be reported. He accused the Government of want of faith in forcing such * contentious measure on the House after promising that no such business would bd J taken on Mondays. The measure was being sprung upon the people, and time was required to enable* the people to know what was going on. The Hon. D. ,H. Guthrie denied that there was any breach of faith on the part of the Government. The Premier had more than once told the House that this Bill would have a reasonable run, and that, if the Government had been opposed to It, they would never have permitted an all-night sitting to force it through. At C.oO a.m. the motion to report progress was defeated on the voices, but the opponents of the Bill continued their opposition on clause 1, contending that the Government must be held responsible on the policy of the Bil), since it was only by their grace and support that the Bill could be placed on the Statute Book. The discussion continued till 7.30 a.m., when the Chairman of Committees announced that the House would adjourn for breakfast, and would resume at 9 o'clock.

TITO PREMIER INTERVENES. A COMMISSION TO DECIDE. Wellington. Oct. ]■_'. On the House resuming at I) o'clock opposition to the Gaming Bill proceeded until f1.20, when the Premier arrived. At the earliest moment ho interposed and said he had not so for taken part in the discussion, nor did he intend to do so, because this was not a party question. Members had been voting as they pleased, and that was satisfactory as far aa it went, but he had to look at the matter from the point of view of the Government and the country. Both 4)deg bad bad a good "go." There was

nothing new in the obstruction. It was the easiest thing to hold up legislation, but the proper thing to do was to let the majority ruTe. A division had been taken, and, ho believed, the majority in favor of the Bill was nearly two to one. Be agreed with those who were dissatisfied with the existing conditions. Mr. MeCombs: Redistribution is what is required. Mr. Massey: "Yes, redistribution. is what is wanted." Yet lie could not ignore the division which had taken place. Therefore, he desired to inform the House that he proposed to recommend Cabinet to set up a commission to go into the whole question and report on the districts which required more permits and those which had too many. With that in view, he moved to report progress on the Bill. Mr. McCallum protested against the announcement of the Premier. It was most unfair to those who had sat up all night and maintained the majority in favor of the Bill. If the Premier was going to set up a commission, then he should take jjower to grant increases if the commission recommended them. Mr. Hunter said he would have to accept the position as outlined by the Premier. He regretted the position, but the Premier wa3 in charge of the business of the House. If he could not afford to give more time to the Bill it could not be helped. The Premier promised to set up a commission, and he must bow to that decision. Mr. W. S. Glenn (Bangitikei) protested that redistribution was unthinkable without increases. That, at least, was due to the majority in the House, which had fought for fourteen hours for the right of the majority. Mr. Isitt said that if the commission would inquiro into all facts and report to the House he would accept that. Several other members, including Mr. Holland, protested nsainst the waste of time resulting from ftc all-night sitting. Ho could just as easily have suggested a commission at* midnight and saved roany valuable hours. Again interposing in the discussion, Mr. M""3ey said that the commission would recommend increases if necessary, as well as readjustments. The country districts would be fully represented,' and, if the commission was not able to report this Mssion, he would consult the Crown law officers to see if legislation could be passed this session to give effect to the recommendations of the commission. After further discussion the Premier's motioii was agreed to on the voices, and the House rose at 10.35 a.m. till 7.30 this evening.