THE GAMING ACT

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 169, 19 July 1920, Page 4

THE GAMING ACT

ELIMINATION OF THE BOOK-

MAKER

INCREASED TOTALISATOII

PERMITS

[from our correspondent.]

WELLINGTON, July 19

An amendment to the Gaming Act, introduced by the Hon. Mr Anderson, Minister for Internal Affairs, deals only with the complete obliteration of tho bookmaker, but an important section of members regard the Bill with still greater interest, because it offers them an opportunity under the Standing Orders of moving an amendment dealing with racing permits. The recent Racing Conference, I understand, decided to go in for an increase in totalizator permits to the extent of 50, in addition to 281 already issue. Those who favor, the proposal can move an amendment to Mr Anderson's Bill, but the Government, I hear, is quite unsympathetic. It will leave such an amendment to its fate. Whether favorable or otherwise nothing but the ,division lists will toll. The indications are that while racing commands the support of an important section of the House, there is still a large body of legislative opinion in favor of redistributing of present permits rather than permitting an increase in racing, Avhich they contend is not going to assist the Dominion in recovering the industrial leeway due to the war.