THE GAMING BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10415, 8 September 1911, Page 5

THE GAMING BILL.

, A NOVEL SUGGESTION. TO GET OUT OF A TIGHT. PLACE. By Tdeornnh — Trr*s Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The House of Representatives went into Committee this afternoon on the Gaming Act Amendment Bill. ".'.' Sir Joseph Ward suggested that Mr Jennings should noi proceed with the Bill. There appeared to be a great (divisioniof opinion concerning the Commissioners' report, and country clubs were no doubt dissatisfied. There seemed to him to be a great deal to warrant the representations made by the country clubs. He -thought the Commission had done its work to the best of its ability, but he suggested that it should be set up again to consider the whole question. The country clubs would then have an opportunity of placing their views before it. He made the suggestion to obviate a long debate on the Bill. He would communicate with the President of the Commission within a week. The whole thing could be done this sc&sion. " Mr Herries said a doubliful point was whether a member should take his chances with tide Bill or accept the Premier's assurances. • If Sir Joseph Ward's suggestion were taken up, the Commission's report may come down after the session. He tras well acquainted with the personnel of the Commission, and he was sure they would hot alter their report. Mr Jennings.said he was prepared to 1 accept the PrimeJUinister's suggestion and report progress on the Bill, prodded he was assured that they would .be able to sit again on the Bill if the : second.report of the Commission was' not in consonance with the wishes of the majority of the House. Mr G. M. Thomson said the Prime Minister was asking the Commission to do something no self-respecting man ' would do. . • After a lengthy discussion, Mr Jennings said he was.prepared to accept the Prime Minister's suggestion provided the Commission reported within a week, and he had leave to discuss the Bill next Thursday. He did not intend to drop the Bill without 'some assurance that he would get satisfaction. Sir Joseph Ward said that what he . had suggested would bo in compliance with the present Act. , v Several members objected to the; - ! abandonment of the Bill, but Mr. Jennings stated that he would stick to his ; decision in view of the Premier's promise. Finally the House divided oh a motion to report progress, with leave to sit again, and the motion was carried by 52 votes t0.14.