THE TOTALISATOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2528, 27 August 1902, Page 29

THE TOTALISATOR.

The question of whether or not the totalisator must go is evidently one that must unanswered before long. Yards and yards of petitions praying for its abolition have been presented to Parliament this session. Today Mr Arnold asked the Acting-Premier if the Government will this session introduce a Totalisator Abolition Bill, and thus try to give effect to the wish of the -vast number of electors who are petitioning the House on the subject. He said it was almost impossible for a private member to get a bill on this subject properly debated in Parliament. Sir Joseph Ward said no doubt there was a strong feeling" favourable* • to the abolition of tho_ totalisator. — (Hear, hear.) Others, again, believed that it wai better than the old system. — (Mr Ell :, "Take* tho voice of the people on the matter.") — Sir Joseph Ward: Ifc ought to' ba taken.— (Mr G. W. Russell: " The voice of the people who use the machine or of tho*e who don't?' 1 ) — Sir Joseph Ward: Everybody. If the people are favourable .. to the abolition of tho totalisator<th» country should give effect to their wishes, and the Government will do so. Thaf is the only" satisfactory way in which the matter can - bo approached- Sir Joseph Ward added that he hoped to have the Referendum Bill before the House at an early date. He. also expressed a hope that the Legislative Council would pass the measure.