PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15270, 19 July 1920, Page 9

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

GAMING ACT AND RACING

WELLINGTON, this day. Tho Gaining Act. Amendment. Bill introducod by Mr Anderson, Minister oi' Internal Affairs, denls only with a niensure for complete obliteration of the bookmaker, but an important section of members regard the Bill with still

. greater interest because it offers then an opportunity under the standing orders of moving an amendment dealing with racing permits. The recent Racing Conference, I understand, decided to go m for an increase of totalisator permits to the extent of fifty m addition to 281 already issued. Those who favor the proposal can move an amendment to MiAnderson's Bill, but the Government, I hear, is quite unsympathetic. It will leave such an amendment to its fate, whether favorable or otherwise. Nothing but the division lists will tell. Tlie indications aro that while racing commands the support of an important section of the House, there is a still larger body of legislative opinion m favor of redistributing the present permits rather than permitting an increase m racing, which they contend is not going to assist the Dominion m recovering the industrial leeway due to the war. ! MEMBERS' SALARIES AND OTHER BUSINESS. ! Ministers havo been more concerned with deputations than Parliamentary business during tho past fortnight. Government measures are making their appearance slowly. . \. Only four remain on the order paper, the most importaivt being the Arms Bill and Civil List, »pro- ' viaing increases for legislators. These measures will come under discussion during mV week, when the "Government's final word regarding salaries should be mado known. It is taken for granted that £500 a. year, loss income tax and superannuation, will be adopted. I j LABOR POLICY FOR SAMOA. j It is also intended, if time permits, to ' thrash out during the present week one of the most contentious questions likely to arise during the session, that of the future labor policy for Samoa. As a preliminary to this discussion tho Government intends circulating at an early date a report of tho discussions between 'tho Parliamentary party and island gatherings; also a- very comprehensive report r*i trade development between New Zealand and the Pacific Islands prepared by special Commission. — Parliamentary Reporter.