THE GAMING BILL

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 16, 13 October 1933, Page 10

THE GAMING BILL

Deputation to Ministers

REQUEST FOR FACILITIES

Strenuous efforts to induce the Government to give the House of Representatives the fullest opportunity of discussing the Gaming Amendment Bill have been made this week by the sponsor of the Bill, Mr. E. F. Healy (Govt., Wairau), and other members. The second reading was set down for yesterday, but the discussion on the report on the World Economic Conference prevented the Bill from coming forward, and it is understood that no definite decision has yet been made by the Government. The Bill seeks to legalise the telegraphing of bets, the use of the double totalisator. and the publication of dividends in the Press. Its prospects in the House have, seemed more than usually favourable this year, and Mr. Healy has recently been in close touch with the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, to enlist the aid of the Government.

Yesterday a deputation which included the president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, Mr. J. S. McLeod, and the president of the New Zealand Trotting Association, Mr. H. F. Nicoll, waited on the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, Rt, Hon. J. G. Coates, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. J. A. Young. It is understood that their representations were given a very good hearing. Since the Bill cannot now come up for second reading for at least a week the matter is being left in abeyance in the meantime.