GAMING ACT AMENDMENTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 August 1929, Page 5

GAMING ACT AMENDMENTS

DEPUTATION FROM CHURCHES STRONG EXPRESSIONS • (Per Press Association.) 0 WELLINGTON, August 1. A strong protest against the provisions of the Gaming Amendment, which has been introduced into Parliament by the Member for Waipawa (Sir G. Hunter) was made to Sir J. Ward, to-day, by a deputation representing the Wellington Ministers’ Association. Rev.-Mr Harry, the principal spokesman, said that as Churches, they desired to express astonishment that a Member of the Cabinet had deemed it wise to speak repeatedly of .the measure as likely to reach the Statute Books. They felt .sure that he had not the Premier and Cabinet behind him. Mr Harry congratulated Sir J. Ward upon the stand he had taken in the past, and said they regarded it as a piece of absolute and unwarrantable impudence for Racing Clubs to ask that the Telegraph Department should be used to foster a national vice. After covering a wide field of their objections, they asked Sir J. Ward to exercise authority and show the Racing Conference it did not govern New Zealand.

Sir J. Ward said that he was pleased to have the views of the deputation, and would place them before his colleagues, and the Government would decide upon the attitude it would adopt, in connection with the Bill. He recognised the matter, was of farreaching importance. Cabinet had not yet considered the matter, for they were waiting for developments, and these developments were showing themselves in the House fit the present time. Before the Bill was dealt with in the House, the representations made by various parties would be carefully considered. It was necessary for him to tell the deputation that the matter was a most ticklish one. He did not know what the feeling of the House was, but as far as the Government was concerned, its attitude would be plainly stated in the House at the propel’ time.