PARLIAMENT.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 6505, 5 October 1915, Page 4

PARLIAMENT.

Legislative Council.

Wellington, Oct 2. The Legislative Council met at 11 a.m. today. The following Bills were read a second time: —The Destitute Persons Amendment, and Coal Mines Amendment. The latter bill was considered in committee and reported without amendment. The Gaming Amendment Bill was further considered in committee. Sir F. Bell explained that a new clause was proposed, giving a racing club the right to a totalisator permit in substitution for any racing day lost owing to its ground being occupied for military purposes, with a provisib that toe substituted day need not necessarily be in tde next succeeding yesr. The Leader of the Council said he had explicitly instructed the law draughtsman to take care that existing rights were not infringed and that tne aggregate number of permits, to which the Club was entitled, was not exceeded. Hon. O Samuel considered that the new clause would be a a act of justice to the Wellington Racing Club. Tne Dominion, he said, was under a debt of gratitude to the club for its assistance. At the same time he opposed the Bill on principle and the Council would do wisely in voting against it. Hon, J. Barr opposed the new clause and moved an amendment with the object of defeating it. On a division being taken the clause was retained by 17 votes tcr3. On the motion «f Sir F. Bell a provisio was added, makiug it absolutely clear that no further permits will be issued beyond those previously held by any club. The bill, as amended, was reported, read a third time, and passed on division by 16 votes to 8. The Coal Mines Amendment Bill was reported without amendment and passed the final stages. The Council rose at 12.29 p.m.