OPINIONS DIVIDED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21929, 12 October 1934, Page 13

OPINIONS DIVIDED

LABOUR colleagues SIGNIFICANCE OF PROPOSAL "A BOOKMAKERS* CLAUSE" [by telegraph—special reporter! WELLINGTON. Thursday The unusual spectacle of one Liibour member vigorously castigating his colleagues was -witnessed in tho House of Representatives during the debate on the Gaming Amendment Bill to-night. Mr.. H. T. Armstrong (Labour — Christchurch East) had made a speech in which he severely criticised both of the proposals in the bill, namely, the legalisation of the double totalisator and the publication of dividends. Mr. Armstrong imparted to the House n considerable amount of information which was received with interest, including a statement that bookmakers had an association which employed men at a high salary to visit all race meetings and telegraph the amounts of dividends. He said this cost the association between £'7ooo and £BOOO a year, and a charge of £1 a bookmaker a meeting was made by the association for the service. He contended that the publication of dividends would save bookmakers that expenditure, and thus the provision in the bill was a "bookmakers' clause." Mr. Armstrong then proceeded to read from a pamphlet, copies of which it was noticed several other members also possessed. "Who published that pamphlet?" asked Mr. S. G. Sm.ith (Government — New Plymouth). Mr. Armstrong, his voice rising as he progressed, said no one was responsible for what was in the pamphlet, which was a reprint of a report of the South Australian Control Board. Even if he had been responsible for what was in the pamphlet, he was as fearless and courageous as anyone, and. that was better than being a dumb dog, like some members. Mr, Speaker ordered Mr. Armstrong to withdraw the expression "dumb dog," which he did. Mr. P. C. Webb (Labour —Bidler), who sits behind Mr. Armstrong on the Labour benches, rose to speak immediately afterward. "It is regrettable," he began, "that the last member should have Mr. Smith: Lost his temper. Sir. W T ebb: Not only that, but that he should have inspired an unholy alliance against a bill which two-thirds of the members of this House and almost all tho members of the Legislative Council desire to see passed. Continuing, Mr. Webb also criticised two other colleagues, Mr. W. E. Parry (Labour —Auckland Central), for making a speech in which he did not make it clear which way he would vote, and Mr. F. Langstone (Labour —Waimarino) for supporting Mr. Armstrong. He also criticised members like Mr. A. J. Stallworthy (Independent— Eden), who almost went into a convulsion at the thought of gambling, for assisting Mr. Armstrong, as Mr. Webb alleged, to stonewall the hill. Mr. Webb said that Sir. Armstrong was prepared to ally himself to every element in the House opposed to racing to prevent a vote being taken on the bill. IMPORTS OF HOPS MINISTER EXPLAINS REASON BLENDING PURPOSES ONLY [by telegraph —special reporter! WELLINGTON. Thureday The recent importation of 160 bales of hops into New Zealand was referred to in the House of Representatives today by Mr. C. L. Carr (Labour — Timaru), who gave notice to ask the Minister of Customs, Mr. Coates, if lie had noticed this fact, and whether it fitted in with his statement that a reduction of 3d in the import duty on British ale and stout would encourage British brewers to buy New Zealand hops. Mr. Coates replied to the question immediately, Baying that the hops were imported for blending purposes.