THE GAMING BILL

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 89, 12 October 1920, Page 8

THE GAMING BILL

DEBATE CONTINUED

PRIME MINISTER'S COMPROMISE

At 9 a.m. to-day, the House of Representatives, after an adjournment for breakfast, resumed discussion of Mr. Hunter's Gaming Act Amendment Bill. [The report of the all-night debate appears on page 4 of this issue.]

The Minister of Lands was still in charge of the House, and the debate was carried on by Mr. A. Hamilton. ■ The Prime Minister made his first appearance in the Chamber, the first since the early hours of the -morning, at 9.10 o'clock. Four other Ministers occupied their seats at that time.

The debate was being carried on by Messrs. Isitfc and Lysnar when Mr. Massey rose to speak. He said he was not going to assist the debate by taking part, nor had he at.any stage of the proceedings. It had not been a party matter, and that was satisfactory so far as it went;' but he had to view the matter from another point of view. Members no doubt had been, having a good time (laughter); he was glad to iind them so happy. (Laughter.) But— Mr. Lysnar: "Let us finisih it out. 1' (Hear, £ear.)

But, continued Mr. Maesey., he had to look at the matter from the viewpoint ■of the Government and the carrying on of the business of the country. Members had had a pretty good "go" and had spent enough time over the Bill. (Interruptions.) After all, there was nothing new in obstruction. It was the ■easiest thing in the world for a minority to delay business. He had had experience of it himself. (Laughter.) He wanted to say that the proper tiling would have been for the ■ members to allow the mrljrity to ruta (Hear, 'hear.) He understi.^ a division'comparatively cjarlyin the proceedings had disclosed a majority of more than two to one in favour of the Bill. (Hear, hear.) But what he wanted to say was, tha.t though this was not a party matter he was with those who said the present position in regard to the racing permits was not satisfactory. The distribution was not fair. (Hear, hear.') He could not agree to the position as it existed, nor could lie agree to this matter proceeding any further. He proposed to recommend Cabinet to set up a . Commission to go into the whole question of^the distribution of permits.

Mr. Lysnar: "Let us go on with the Bill." (Hear, hear.)

Mr. Massoy: "No ; I have a responsibility to the whole country and to the House. There is a lot of business to be done." He hoped that what had happened might expedite the business of the country. He moved to report progress. FURTHER FIGHT DESIRED. Mr. M'Callum and other members expressed displeasure because the . Prime Minister had not taken this step earlier. The member for Wairau and Mr. Lysnar wanted to carry the n'gltt on. II the Prime Minister would take power this session to give further permits during the recess, said Mr. M'Uallum, if re'comraended by the Commiasion, he would see less objection to progress being reported on the Bill.

Mr. Hunter said he was reluctant to ha.%'e to agree that the time had come when they must accept the decision of the Prime Minister. Mr ; Massey' had to see to the business of the country, and they must respect his responsibilities. They had, however, a, promise as to the setting, up of the Commission. He deeply regretted the necessity to have to report progress on the Bill.

For nearly an hour, with some bitterness at times, members, one or two of whom had no* yet spoken in the debate, continued to argue the point. The friends of the Bill, chagrined at the turn events hud taken, showed extreme reluctance to give up. Why should they give way now, they argued; the wholo fight would have to be gone over again.

Mr. Massey : "Don't forget that/ the next Bill, supported by the Commission's recommendations, will be a. Government Bill."

Mr. M'Callum : "And do you think these pseudo-reform fanatics—(laughter), —are going to give up because the Government will bring it in? It is said the Government,is behind this Bill." Mr. Massey : "That is not true." Mr. M'Callum : "They don't stick to the truth."

Mr. Holland protested bitterly against what had been dorfe->-the debate being allowed to go on, and then the Prime Minister making this belated promise. He felt with those who wanted to fight on.

Mr. Massey retorted that he did not think the House cared two pins for Mr. Holland's opinion about anything. He went on to express his anxiety to wind up the work of the session. No men could work without sleep, and he himself wanted to be able to carry on. His suggestion was a reasonable one. He would see the Commission was a fair one, and that every part ofithe country had consideration. If it was possible for the Commission to report before the end of the session legislation would be brought down. If not, he would consult the Crown Law Officer, to see if the law would permit the Government to give effect to the recommendations during the recess.

Still members talked, some,of them de. fending Mr. Holland from !the Prime Minister's retorts to him in a passage that had been warm. The Hon. J. G. Ccates conceded that the Labour members had not been obstructors during the stonewall. Mr. Savage was particularly pronounced in his language about the Prime Minister's statements, and had to withdraw one expression.

Finally, at 10.15, the Prime Minister recalled the important committees that had to sit —the Butter Committee, in par-ticular—-that day. -He promised that the Government would accept the "shorttitle" of Mr. Hunter's Bill for its own proposed measure, which would considerably expedite the passage..

Then, after Mr. Potter had Spoken, thn Chairman suddenly slipped the motion to report progress through. Mr. M'Callum frantically declared he had called for a division, but others said he had not. However, the Chairman gave way, and allowed Vie hells to be rung, hut Mr. M'Callum ultimately permitted tho.vote to go on the voices. Progress was reported, and the House, on the Prime Minister's motion, adjourned until 7.20 to-night.

The,galleries were gradually filling up when the members trooped noisily, but merrily, out. For the new members it was a first experience of stonewalling.