RACING PERMITS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1921, Page 5

RACING PERMITS.

NEW BILL INTRODUCED. DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE. BRIEF ATTACK ON PROPOSAL. By Telegraph,—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. In the House this afternoon the Prime Minister (Mr. W. F. Massey) moved for leave to introduce the Gaming Amendment Bill. Mr. J. McCombs (Lyttelton) protested against encouragement being given by the Government to gambling. He quoted figures to show the rapid increase in the amount put through the totalisator in recent years, and he blamed the Government for seeking to still further increase this sum. The Government could not escape this responsibility, because they were giving facilities for passing legislation on this subject in a way that they had not given to any other question. Mr. L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) said he regarded the introduction of this Bill as a clear indication ot the tremendous hold the racing spirit had upon the people of this country. The fact was that the racing interests had simply “buldozed” members of the House.

Mr. H. Atmore (Nelson) deprecated the narrow view that one man’s tasks should be condemned by another. He objected to the statement that the House was “buldozed” by the racing people. If Mr. Isitt knew of anyone in the House who was “buldozed” he should name him. •

Mr. W. D. Lynsnar (Gisborne) said it was the wish of the majority of the House that extra permits should be granted, and the Government was bound to do its best to give effect to the wish of that majority. The report of the commission should be wiped out and permits granted to small centres where justice demanded that they should be granted. Mr. Massey charged Mr. McCombs with twisting and misrepresenting the position to the detriment of the Government. Much of the increase in the amount put through the totalisator in past years was due to the marked prosperity of the country. There was a decrease now, because the increase took place largely in country districts. One point he wished to make clear, and that was that if the Bill which he was introducing passed to-day it would not increase gambling one iota, because it must be followed by a series of resolutions, which would give members an opportunity of voting on the proposals in the report. This would be a party matter, and if, at any critical stage of the Bill, the majority of members voted against it, that would be the end of the matter. We then simply stand where we are now. The Bill was introduced and read a first time without further discussion. VIEWS OF SOME M.P.’S. REDISTRIBUTION FAVORED. Wellington, Last Night. A deputation of members of Parliament met the Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. M. Downie Stewart) to-day to consider the proposals for dealing with the report of the Racing Commission and the suggested legislation. The deputation was introduced by Sir George Hunter, who placed before the Prime Minister the resolution passed at a meeting of members as follows: —(1) That this meeting of members of Parliament is of opinion that there should be a redistribution of racing pennits; (2) that a strong protest be made against any curtailment or elimination of permits; (3) That there should be an increase in the number of permits to trotting clubs; (4) that the following members be appointed a deputation to wait on the Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Affairs: Dr. Thacker, Sir Georgie Hunter, Messrs M’Callum, Nash. Witty, Bollard, T. W. Rhodes, and J. S. Dickson.

A general discussion followed and Mr. Massey, in reply, expressed a wish to meet the views of the members concerned as far as possible. It was finally decided that further consideration of the matter should be postponed till Thursday next and in the meantime Sir George Hunter is to be asked to convene a meeting of members generally with a view to a discussion on the matter in all its aspects, making further proposals to the Prime Minister before any further action is taken.