RACING COMMISSION REPORT.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17277, 15 October 1921, Page 9

RACING COMMISSION REPORT.

MR MASSEY'S REPLY TO DEPUTATION. (special to "the fress.") WELLINGTON. October 14. The Prime Minister, replying to a deputation from religious bodies with reference to the Racing Commission s report, sa'.J 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 that it was a very important report. The duty of the Government, Mr Massey said, was to submit the report- to Parliament some time during the present session. It would not be made a party question, ana every member would vote just as he text inclined and without any interference on the T>art of the Government. It was quite Tight that it was suggested that there should be an increase in the number of race days, but there was an important aspect to be remembered, lnese additional days were for country districts where there were no meetings now. At the same time, it was suggested that hon-.e of the clubs in the centres of population should be abolished. In© effect of that, he thought, would be to decrease gambling. He was not an advocate of gambling, Mr Massey added and personally he would rather Bee the sport of horse racing earned on without it. .He was 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. lhe Government had to lay the report on the table, and. ask the House to agree or disagree with it, and the Government would have to abide by the deci-