THE GAMING BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10140, 10 November 1910, Page 5

THE GAMING BILL.

AS AMENDED BY CHTTEE.

DHUUSjJION IN TUB HOUSE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, Last Night. In the Douse of Representatives to-night, Sir* Joseph Ward moved the committal of the Gaming Bill. In doing so, he said the Committee to winch the Bill had been referred had taken evidence on both sides. The Committee had endeavoured to make the Bill a workable one. Un-

der the proposals of the Hill the number of racing days would be uon- \ a derably reduced by reason of the *- prohibition of bookmakers on racecourses. The amendments made by the Committee provided that the numler of days on which the totalisator may be used must not exceed £SO, and each class of racing shall be reduced proportionally to the number of days on which the totalisator was used during the. twelve months preceding the passing of 'the Act. Another amendment provided that no race meeting shall extend over eight days in the year in the case of a four day meeting, six in the rase of a three- day meeting,. and four in the case of a two-day meeting. The investment on the totaliastor had to be made in cash, bank notes, or cheque before or v.t the time of investment. '1 he provision applying to the exclusion of bookmakers from ra«:e courses applied also, to coursing matches, pigeon shooting, and other matches, and inanimate shooting mat hes. The Bill provided a penalty for ttreet betting, and abolished bookmaking as it present existing. Ke would be prepared to deal with the provisions of the Bill in detail when the Committee stage was reached, Mr Hemes said the cry of too much racing was a bogey. Many of the country meetings were sports meetings with a.few hack races, and were not entitled to the name of race meetings. Since 1898 the number of race meetings had only increased by nineteen. Taking the increase of population into consideration the number of race meetings had not in creased. Referring to Clause 4, which provides that neing clubs f hall take steps to prevent bookmakers from plying their calling on racecourses, he said this would have the effect of reducing race meetings in country districts wheie there was i O totalisator to provide the stakes. He criticised the clause Retting up a Commission to decide the number of licenses to be issued, which would not work satisfactorily. If hindrances were placed on the sport, U . would do infinite harm to the breed of horses. Mr Taylor (Thames) preferred to improve the breed of men rather than the breed of horses. If the magnificent sport of horre racing could not be carried on without speculation and gambling, he said, "let the sport go." Mr.Glover said that hor.e racing was the only enjoyment thousands of working men had. He was prepared to oppose the Bill right up till Christmas, and'was conscious of the approval of his'constituents. Mr Macdonald said the demand for a reduction in race meetings was largely due to the Galloway pony meetings in town 3 . (Left Sitting.)