SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 28

SPORTS PROTECTION LEAGUE

ANALYSIS OF NEW PARLIAMENT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, January 23. The new Parliament, according to a report drafted for the New Zealand Sports Protection League by the general secretary (Mr R. W. Shallcrass), is composed to a greater extent than the last of men who may be depended upon to foster sporting interests. ‘‘Only three candidates have been elected who are directly opposed to the privileges which the league is called upon to protect,” says Mr Shallcrass in his report. ‘‘There are, however, two doubtful members returned by South Island constituencies. This is in marked contrast with the position as it was before the Sports’ Protection League came into existence. It is now satisfactory to find that there is not one of the 34 members who at that time voted for the abolition of the totalisator who has not reversed his position or retired or been defeated.’’ With respect to the question of increased licenses and other reforms, 37 elected members have given a direct pledge not to oppose any measure which may be brought forward with a view to providing increased facilities and other necessary reforms for which the authorities have been striving for some time past. There are 21 members who have given a qualified answer to the question of the league, but who can he practically relied upon not to oppose an increase of permits. There are 10 members who have given an open answer to the second question, and who will probably oppose an increase. “The present Parliament is strongly in favour of the right of the people to the full enjoyment of legitimate sport, even more so than its immediate predecessor, and far more so than the Parliaments elected prior to the formation of the league.” The questions which the league submitted to candidates at the general election were: (1) Will you maintain the right of the people to the full enjoyment of all legitimate sports, and oppose any curtailment of the statutory privileges in connection therewith? (2) Will you pledge yourself not to oppose a reasonable increase of totalisator licenses, or such other reforms as may be agreed upon between the racing and trotting executives and the Prime Minister? The report refers only to the European members of the Louse. It concludes with the following summary: —Direct supporters of privileges and also of an increase, 37; supporters of an increase (qualified replies), 21; unpledged but probable supporters of an increase, 2- open answers (probable opponents of aw increase), 10; opponents of an increase and doubtful supporters of existing privileges, 2; straight out opponents, 3; unknown, 1.