BOOKIES’ THREAT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 October 1924, Page 5

BOOKIES’ THREAT

* BEHIND THE STONEWALL. - THE GAMING BILL. KEEN DISCUSSION EXPECTED. (By Telegraph.—Special to Star). J WELLINGTON, Oct, 27. The Public Works Statement will be presented to the House when it resumes this evening. The Government does not intend to immediately proceed with the third .eau.ng or the Gaming Bill. There is likely to be an acrimonious debate at this stage, for the reason that no record. was officially taken of the stonewall proceedings, and there are many explanations to make. One of the most interesting points to be cleared up is the mysterious reference to outside influences affecting tne opposition to the Gaming Bill. Lobby report has it that bookmakers who, despite the fact that -their occupation is illegal, have an organisation which is alleged to have intimated that no gaming legislation was likely to get through Parliament until bookmakers are licensed. This threat might have been worthless, but ** as it happened that other considerations aroused strong opposition to the Gaming Bill, the bookmakers’ "attitude carried some plausibility. Members have abandoned hope of completing the session by the end of this week, despite the fact that. Cabinet has decided on the wholesale abandonment of 'Billfe, some of 'which are on the Order Paper. There still remain a number of contentious measures. The Government will give the House an opportunity of showing its attitude on electoral reform, which will take some time. An Amendment to the Dairy Industry Act and Fruit Control Bill will be reported during the week from the Select Committee, and will arouse much contention in the House. The third reading of the Meat Control Bill affords Mr Lysnar a further opportunity of attacking the Government, which is hardly likely to take his criticisms without .retaliation. Extensive lobbying has proceeded on the Dentists’ Amendment Bill, which foreshadows a long debate. A Finahee Bill, Supplementary Estimates and Appropriation Bill are on a programme too extensive to he cleared up in one week.