TOTALISATOR PERMITS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3995, 28 July 1913, Page 5

TOTALISATOR PERMITS.

TWO PRIVATE BILLS. HOW WILL THEY FARE?, [BY TELEGRAPH —PARLIAMENTARY CORRESPONDENT') WELLINGTON. July 27, The position of the two Gaming Amendment Bills (dealing with the question of totalisator permits) which are before the' House at the present time is a little peculiar. Both are private Members’ measures. Mr Wilford’s Bill, which aims at indefinitely increasing the number of permits which may be issued, came up for its second reading late on 'lhursday night. The debate was adjourned before the motion had.been put, and it was then commonly assumed that the Bill had been hilled. This is not the ease. The Bill now stands on the Order Paper as the second order of the day for Thursday next, the only item in a better position being a Ohiristchuroh measure. _ Local Bills have first claim to attention .on Thursdays, and a number of these measures are now before the Local Bills Committee. If they are reported and restored to the Order Paper before Thursday next Mr Wilford’s Bill will be moved down, but, failing this, it occupies a good position, and will probably como up in plenty of time to allow the second reading debate to be indefinitely extended, if not concluded. Mr Hunter’s Gaming Amendment Bill, on the other hand, which provides for tho addition of thirty additional permits for the benefit o( oneday racing clubs, hunt clubs, and trotting clubs, stands fourth on the Order Paper for Wednesday next (private Members’ day). Taking into account what happened last week, the chances of the Bill coming up for the second reading on Wednesday seem to be somewhat problematical. Apart from the points already noted, there is a possibility that the Imprest Supply Bill debate due to take place this week may interfere to some extent with the days devoted to private and local Bills. It is understood, however, that the House will be afforded an opportunity before the session ends of going to a division on the second reading of Mr Hunter's Bill. If! the opportunity did not arise in the ordinary course the Government could provide it by allowing the Bill at a suitable juncture to take precedence over Government business.