GAMING BILL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16495, 30 July 1924, Page 3

GAMING BILL.

GENERAL CRITICISM

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, last night

On tho motion in the House of Representatives for leave to introduce the Gaining Amendment Bill, Mr. W. E. Piling desired to know whether the Bill met certain anomalies pointed out during tho last session. The Bill should' 1 be sent to tho committee, before whom everyone connected with racing, from the horse owners down to the man who- made bets with bookmakers, could come and give evidence. There was also the constitution of the Racing Conference, about which certain statements seemed to indicate tiler was something wrong so far as I lie representation was concerned. 110 objected to having to deal with a Bill in the dark. He protested against tho practice of racing clubs publishing certain handicaps in books, and subsequently altering them. No doubt these changes were put on the blackboard, but the average person on the. racecourse did licit know that, and proceeded to pick the winners oil weights which did not exist, lie quoted the Onslow Stakes at tho Auckland meeting, where 93ilbs overweight was distributed amongst 13 out of 24 horses.

Mr. J. M. Savage condemned the practice of making jockeys ride at 6st 71b. This weight was totally against, the dictates of nature, and created the anomaly that, while Dr. Truby King and others were seeking to build up a nation of stalwart men, jockey clubs were trying to sweat them down to paper weights. Tho condition of the courses and the size of the fields are other matters which required grave consideration, because tho lives of those taking part in the races were often jeopardised by the overcrowding of field's. Mr. Lee objected to racing clubs monopolising any more Saturdays and Labor Days. This was contrary to the best iiiterests'of the other classes of sport, in which the best manhood of the country were engaged. Mr. Langston urged the redistribution of race meetings. Racing was being centralised in the interests of several racing magnates. This and other phases of racing required looking into, and unless this was done the Government and the Minister in charge of the Bill were going to have a. pretty hot time. The measure should be submitted to a Parliamentary Committee for consideration. Mr. Monteith contended that more perfect arrangements should be made for medical attendance on the racecourses in cases of accident.. Jockeys should have the right of representation on appeal boards, which hold their livelihood in their hands. Racing as conducted in New Zealand was not breeding a class of horse notable for their stamina. They were nothing but a lot of six furlong squibs. Mr. McKeen said the Racing Conference was one of the most autocratic bodies in the country, and racing ought to be taken out of their hands. . Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Isitt expressed the hope that no attempt would be made in the Bill to increase racing permits in the Dominion. Mr. Isit't also urged a new commission to make a redistribution of permits with greater regard to the interests of the country districts than at present prevails.

Tlie debate was not concluded when Hie Houso adjourned at 5.30 p.m„ and the Bill was not introduced.