RACING COMMISSION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1921, Page 3

RACING COMMISSION.

STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. NOT A PARTY MATTI By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Get. 14. The Prime Minister, replying to a deputation from religious bodies in reference to the Racing Commission’s report, said that personally he had so far only seen a summary of the report, but whatever might be thought of it there could be no doubt it was a very important report. The duty of the Government was to submit it to Parliament some time during the present session. It would not be made a party question, every member would vote just as he felt inclined and without any interference on the part of the Government. It was quite that it was suggested there should be an increase in. the number of race days, but there was an important aspect to be remembered, these additional days were for the country districts where there were no meetings now, and at the same time it was sug-. gested that some of the clubs in the centres of population should be abolished. The effect of that he thought would be to decrease gambling. Me was not an advocate of gambling, and personally he would rather see the sport of horse-racing carried on without it. He not sanguine about the recommendations of the commission going through the House, as they appeared at present, but the duty of the Government was perfectly clear. The Government had to lay on the table and ask the House to agree or disagree with it, and the Government would have ta abide by the decision.