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Northern Advocate, 12 October 1949, Page 3

meetings is to be abolished. There is a proviso that the club may deduct commission not exceeding 10 per cent.

Discussion

“This is the bill we have all awaited for so long," said the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Holland) “I think it is known to all that it has given the Government some concern. “We all know that drafting of such legislation is difficult. “It should now be submitted to a committee to take evidence, and surely we are not going to lock out the public.” The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Parry): They have already been consulted. Mr Holland: I know some who have not. This is not a party matter. The public has asked for it through the referendum. Mr Parry said that if there was a sufficiently large demand from the House, he would have no objection to referring the bill to the Statutes Revision Committee, An Opposition voice: Will the bookies be represented on the board? Mr F. W. Doidge (O—Tauranga): Who will allocate the extra trotting permits? Mr Parry: We will do that in consultation with the Conference. It is not the policy of the Government to eliminate clubs which are already providing recreation for the people. The Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) said a difficulty had arisen' about finance, because it was all unknown territory. It was only right that the Government should place money behind the totalisator agency on a proper commercial basis. Interest would be charged.

Telephone

Mr C. M. Bowden (O—Karori): Who will pay the overtime in the Post Office? Mr Fraser: There will be no telegraphing of bets, and the work will probably be telephone work. I am informed that telegraphing would cause confusion and disappointment because of the backing-up of bets at the end of the week. We felt it was better to get on with the job. Mr A. S. Sutherland (O —Hauraki): It is a • great thing for the bookmakers. Mr Fraser: The people did not ask the Government to get mixed up in this. It is predominantly a matter for the racing people. Mr Sutherland: Don’t you think it would have been fairer for the Government to have paid a share instead of lending money? Mr Fraser: If I approached the honourable member and said we were floating a company to get a monopoly of off-course betting he would jump at it. Even a fool could make this pay.