RACE PERMITS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 October 1920, Page 5

RACE PERMITS.

THE BILL PASSED. OOUkciL'S DECISION REVERSED. "CONTEMPTUOUS ACTION." By Telsfraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the Legislative Council this afternoon, Sir Francis Bell moved thait the third reading of the Gaming Amendment. Bill be discharged from 'the order paper, and sub-clauses four and six of clause two be recommitted. He said he felt it was only due to the Council and to Parliament to give a further opportunity for consideration. Sir Francis Bell said he was not in the habit of disputing a decision arrived at by the Council, but it was notorious that if it had not been for the absentees the vote would most probably have gone the other way. After a long debate in the House the Prime Minister had proposed this mafchod of overcoming the deadlock, which had been contemptuously rejected by the Council. He did not deny the Tight of the Council to do anything of the kind, but he submitted that the right might well be waived in the case of a real difficulty arising in the Legislature. He was not suggesting that the Ministry should be in a position to dictate to Parliament, but it was a matter of facilitating the business of Parliament. Sir Francis 'Bell added that it must be realised that if his suggestion was adopted the Council vote of Friday would be an effective warning that any considerable increase 'in permits would not be acceptable. He urged members to deal with the question as a matter of business, and as a means of settling a real difficulty It was almost to the extreme limit of the powers of the Council to contemptuously reject a proposal.

The Hon. J, Barr objected to the suggestion thajt anything had been contemptuously rejected by the Council. That 'was entirely incorrect; the Coun* cil simply exercised 'its right to amend the Bill, and should always do so, irrespective of whoever originated the measure. The matter was not so trifling as Sir Francis Bell would have the Council to believe, for it went right down to the root of the great evil of ■the lack of production. The Hon. E. Mitchelson supported the proposal to re-commit the Bill. His reason was that the Prime Minister was against any increase in permits, but had ended 'the deadlock by a suggestion for a compromise. The power to make null a recommendation for an increase remained with either House.

The Hon. J. Gow regretted that the defeat had not been taken in a sporting manner by the supporters of the Bill. Tho Hon. G. M. Thomson supported the Hon. J. Barr, adding that the Government should have taken its beating. The Hon. M. Cohen also objected to the suggestion of .the Leader of the Council that any members had dealt contemptuously with the Bill.

The Hon. T. MocGibbon opposed re committal.

The Hon. W. Eamshaw said that if any evidence of the influence of gambling clubs was required it, was to be found in the pressure which they had been able to bring on the Government. No real reason had been advanced for reconsideration.

The Hon. J. Crihimond supported recommittal on behalf of the country districts, which were at present unable to secure a permit,

Re-committal of the Bill was carried by 16 votes to 10. The division list is:—

Ayes (16)— The Hons. Bell, Alison, Buchanan, Clark, Fraser, Geddis, Grimmond, Hawke, Mitehelson, Patuki, Samuel, Scott, Simpson, Sinclair, Stewart, Tukino.

Noes (10) —The Hons. Barr, Cohen, Earnshaw, Gow, Hall-Jones, Jones, MacGibbon, MacGregor, Smith, Thompson. Following are the pqjrs:—'For recommittal: The Hons. Nerheny, Collins, Louisson, Harris, Michel. Against: The Hons. Jzard, Fleming, Moore, Garland, Hard r.'

The Bill was then re-committed. Sir Francis Bell moved to restore the Bill to its original form. A division was called for, and the Bill was restored to its original form by 15 votes to 10, the majority being reduced by one on account of the Hon. O. Samuel then being chairman of committee. Ihe Bill was reported with amendments and passed.

In the House of Representatives in the evening, the amendments made by the Legislative Council in the Bill were agreed to on the voices.

THE PREVIOUS DECISION.

MORE PERMITS OPPOSED.

When the Bill was before the Legislative Council last Friday, a good deal of opposition was directed against an increase of racing permits, but the question of redistributing the existing permits was generally approved. When the Bill was in committee, the Hon. J. Barr moved *to allow for a redistribution of permits, but not for an increase, and this was carried by 20 votes to 16. The voting was:-

( For the amendment: Hons. Barr, Cohen, Earnshaw, Fisher, Fleming, Garland, Gow, Hall-Jones, Hardy," Izard, Jones, Mac Gibbon, MacCregor, Moore, Simpson, Smith, Thompson, Triggs. Against: Hons. Bell, Alison, Buchanan. Clark, Collins, Fraser, Geddis, Grimmond, Hawke, Michel, Mitelielson, Xerlieny, Patuki, Scott, Sinclair, Stewart.