GAMING BILL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 255, 25 September 1935, Page 12

GAMING BILL.

TO BE INTRODUCED. LITTLE CHANCE OF PROGRESS. WELLINGTON, Sept, 25. An effort is being made to introduce another Gaming Amendment Bill into tho House of Representatives this session. The proposed measure etnbodics the views of the Racing Conference which were circulated among all members of Parliament recently. It is stated that a Bill has been drafted to give effect to these proposals, and that efforts are being made to secure Government consideration for it. However, the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) stated last night that tho Government hud not yet discussed tho mattoi. lie added that if tho measure were brought forward this session it would be only as a private member’s Bill. The proposed Bill provides for tho establishment of a totalisutor board consisting of five members, three of whom would be appointed by the executive committee of the Now Zealand Racing Conference, and two by tho executive committee of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, the tonuro of office being for one year. With the approval of the Minister of Internal Affairs, the board would be permitted to make regulations dealing with the appointment of agonts and other matters regarding the investment cf monoy away from racecourses. Authority would be given for tho establishment of offices throughout the Dominion for the receiving of investments, and for tho investment of money on the totalisator by the board. Provision would also be made for investment by correspondence or by betting telegrams to racecourses and for the publication of dividends and starting prices. Opinion in the lobbies is that no' great progress is likely to be made with such a Bill this session. In view of its controversial nature, the Government could hardly be expected to accept responsibility for it at a date so close to a geiieral election, and in view of the fact that the session must finish reasonably early, its progress as a private member’s Bill would be very doubtful. There has been a consistent demand for amended racing legislation during recent years, but all attempts in Parliament to give effect to the wishes of a large of people have met with failure. In the last two sessions three Bills have appeared, two of them in the House of Representatives, introduced by Mr E. 1 1 . Healy (Govt., Wairau), and Mr 11. T. Armstrong (Lab., Christchurch East), and one in the Legislative Council, introduced by tho Hon. E.°R. Davis, of Auckland. All three mcasudes were talked out. It is stated that tho latest measure will not lie introduced unless there is an assurance that it will bo given a hearing.