The Gambling BilL

Otago Witness, Issue 1555, 27 August 1881, Page 22

The Gambling BilL

According to a correspondent of a contemporary, the following are the objections made by the Lords to the Gaming and Lotteries Bill : —

The new clause, introduced by the House aa section 9, is objected to because (1) the words " licensed premises" and " betting-house," and "game" have no denned meaning. (2) It makes it penal to keep a book for entering or recording therein any "game." (3) " Because it makes it penal to invite any person to make a bet, whereas making a bet is not illegal." Having thus dealt with what may be termed the unreasonable clauses of the bill, the Council show whero the Home of Representatives might have been more decided in its efforts to repress an acknowledged evil. The striking out of section 15 is objected to, because the Council is of opinion that one of the most effective modes of putting down sweepstakes and lotteries is to prevent thtir being advertised by placards and the news*

papers. Then the new clause, 49, ia objected to,because it does not defer the coming into operation of the Act sufficiently long. Tbe CouncH propose—" (1) To omit new clause 9. (2) To amend clause 16 by adding the words • this section shall not apply to affect newspapers which are not printed in New Zealand, ai J d the proprietors whereof are not resident therein.' (3) To amend clause 49 by striking out the words • Noyember, 1881,' and inserting in lieu thereof the words ' January, 1882.' "