TOTALISATOR PERMITS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17844, 27 July 1921, Page 8

TOTALISATOR PERMITS

OLUBS' LOST LICENSES^ ATTITUDE OP MINISTER. ' WAITING FOR PARLIAMENT. '[by telegraph.—own correspondent.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Many protests are reaching the Minister for Internal Affairs, Hon. Downie Stewart, from racing clubs whose totalisator permits aro jeopardised by tho recommendations of the-Racing Commission. Ono of tho suggestions made on behalf of these clubs is that the old arrangements should stand until Parliament has had an opportunity to consider the report of tho commission. Tho Minister has stated already that, ponding consideration by Parliament, he will refuse to issue permits to clubs that have been cut out by the commission, and he has assured some of tho interested parties (hat his right to do this is perfects clear. The position is governed by the Gaming Amendment Act of 1920, which provides for the appointment of the commission " for the purposo of determining the racing clubs to which license-: are to he granted in the racing year, commencing on August 1, 1921, and the number of days on which tho uso of the totalisator is to be authorised bv each of those licenses." The Government has power to issue an Order-in-Conncil authonsinjrthe issue, of totalisator licenses not exceeding the number recommended by the commission, and this order has to bo laid before Parliament within 30 days of the opening of the session. It becomes void, and the old conditions are restored, if either House of Parliament declares by resolution that it does not assent to the order It is clear, therefore, that if the Minister issued permits now to clubs that have boon cut out lie would have to withhold them from clubs that hare received favourable recommendations from the commission, since the total number is fixed. He states definitely that unless and until' Parliament rules,"otherwise, he does not intend to issue any permits to clubs that aire not recommended by' the commission.