GAMING ACT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22070, 28 September 1933, Page 5

GAMING ACT

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

FIRST READING OF BILL,

(From Oub Pabuamektabs Repobxeb.) WELLINGTON, September 27. Although he has charge of the Gaming Act Amendment Bill which seeks to permit the publication of dividends, the telegraphing of bets to racing clubs, and the institution of the double totalisator, Mr • Healy is a very moderate bettor. This fact was revealed in an amusing cross-talk in the House to-day when Mr Healy was explaining his measure prior to the first reading. “ I can walk down any street in any town or village in, my electorate 10 minutes .after, a race,” Mr Healy said, “ and someone will, he able to tell me the first, second, and third horses and the amounts of the dividends.” Mr Langstone: They must know you are a punter. Mr Healy: I am, not a punter. I don’t think I have had three bets in 10 years, — (Laughter.) Mr Healy intimated, that he proposed to take the second reading on October 12. Mr Armstrong: suggested that the following day : would be luckier. In the. course of a brief explanation of his amendment, Mr Healy , paid a high compliment to- the newspapers of the Dominion, which, he said, were the best in the world “ The public is quite in the dark as to why the newspapers are prohibited from publishing dividends,” said'Mr Healy. “We should feel proud of our press. No other country has a press superior to our own, yet our press is gagged with respect to.publishing dividends,' and we have to wait for the arrival of the Australian paper* to see the dividends in print.; The position is absurd.”