RACE PERMITS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1920, Page 5

RACE PERMITS.

MEW BILL PASSED. . COMMISSION TO REPORT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The House of Representatives to-night sat in committee on the Gamma Bill No. 2. The Hon. G. J. Anderson, who is inking charge of the Bill on behalf of the Government, brought down a number of new clauses providing for setting up a Commission to go into the the question of granting additional totaliaator permits, and by Order-in-Council giving effect to the recommendations of the .Commission being given effect to before the House had an opportunity of considering them. As a member of the House he was not going to give uu his rights to say how far the gambling evil should spread. He would agree to setting up a commission, but the Government proposals went much further, and he objected to legislation by Order-in-Council.

Mr. Massey said that if he could reduce gambling he would do so, but he recognised that the people would have racing, and it was necessary to control it. He believed some centres had more permits than they should have, and a readjustment was necessary, and that was what the Commission wanted to do. He did not think it proper to name the Commission at present, but there would be no one on it who had not a knowledge of racing. His proposals were not intended to take advantage of any one, hut had been put before the House simply in conformity' with a promise he had made hon. members. Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) made a strong protest against the Commission reporting to the Government instead of to the House. He also asked the Premier to put one or more business | men on the Commission Mr. Massey said they would all be business men. He also explained that after the Commission reported the Govj ernmeiit might grant all or part of the permits recommended, .but. Parliament I must subsequently endorse the action of the Government, and if either House refused to do so, then the present day position would be reverted to. After further discussion, in which the terms of the compromise arrivejl at last Tuesday morning were canvassed, it wa* agreed to accept the new clauses, and they were fortwith added to the Bill without amendment. The Bill was read a third time and passed.