GAMING LAW AMENDMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20323, 2 August 1929, Page 11

GAMING LAW AMENDMENTS.

OPPOSITION BY CHURCHES. CRITICISM OF RACING CLUBS. [by telegraph.—niEss association.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. A strong protest against the provisions of the Gaming Amendment Bill, which Ims been introduced into Parliament by the member for Waipawa, Sir George Hunter, was made to Sir Joseph Ward to day by a deputation representing the Wellington Ministers' Association. The principal spokesman said that, as representing tlio churches, thoy desired to express astonishment that a member oi' tho Cabinet had deemed it wise to speak repeatedly of tho measure as likely to reach (he Statute Book. They felt sura lie had not tho Prime Minister and Cabinet behind him. Tho speaker congratulated Sir Joseph Ward upon the' stand lie had taken in the past, and said they regarded it as a piece of abso lute and unwarrantable impudence for the racing clubs to ask that the Telegraph Department should bo used to foster a national vice.

After covering a wide field of objections, they asked Sir Joseph Ward to exercise his authority and show that tho Racing Conference did not govern New Zealand.

Sir .Tosoph Ward said he was pleased (o havo (lie views of (ho deputation, mid would deride upon what - attitndo Cabinet would adopt in connection with Iho hill. lie recognised the question was of far-reaching importance. Cabinet had not. yet considered the proposal, for lliev were waiting for developments, and these developments were showing themselves in the House at Iho present, time. Before the. hill was dealt with in the House, the representations made hy the various parties would he considered care fully. It was necessary for him to tell the deputation that the question was a most, ticklish one

The Prime Minister added that lie did not know what the'feeling of th'e House was, but. as far as the Government was concerned, its altitude would ho plainly stated in the llouso at the proper time.