GAMING BILL

Southland Times, Issue 19346, 11 September 1924, Page 8

GAMING BILL

INTRODUCED AT LAST! COMMITTEE INVESTIGATION PROMISED (Special to the Times.) WELLINGTON, September 10. The Gaming Amendment Bill (Hon. R. F. Bollard) was read a first time in the House cf Representatives this afternoon. Six weeks ago an attempt was made to introduce the measure, but on that occasion it was talked out by Mr L. M. Litt (Christchurch North), after most of the atternoon had been occupied by Labour members in suggestions for reform in the government cf racing. Mr Litt resumed his interrupted speech to-day. He hoped that if the Prime Minister acted on the suggestion of the Member for Riccarton that a committee of the House be set up to examine the Bill, it should be representative of all shades of opinion. Mr Massey: It will not be necessary that you and I shculd be there. Mr Litt: I should like very much to be there.—(Laughter.) It is only a fair thing that all opinions should have a voice on the Committee. Moreover, the Order of Reference should be wide enough to perm.t the taking of evidence on the moral asjiect cf gaming. Last year when I bi. ught evidence on that aspect, I was disappointed as' it was ruled out as not within tfie scope of the Committee. The bell cut Mr Litt short at this stage, and the Bill was read a first time without further ado. NEW BILL EXPLAINED. ..OMISSION TO RACECOURSES. AMENDING CLAUSE DELETED. (Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, September 10. The Gaming Bill makes its re-appearance with only one amendment compared with the measure that was passed the second reading after on all-night sitting last session. The amendment proposed then to the principal Act dealing with admission to racecourses does not appear in the measure brought down to-night.

It will be remembered that the Labour Leader based his amendment to the second reading last year on this clause, which provided for the following words to be added to sub-section 5 of section 33 of the

principal Act, “any person so removed shall not on the day of removal re-enter the racecourse, and if he does so re-enter, he may without warrant be arrested by any

constable and be taken before a Magistrate, or any two Justices, and shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5O, or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one month.” The amendment proposed last session adding imprisonment for a term not exceeding two months or a fine of £2O prescribed for a breach of regulations regarding admission to racecourses, has also been dropped from the Bill. The remaining provisions stand unaltered; They include the issue of 31 additional permits to clubs, 12 to be for racing, and 19 for trotting. If the constitution of a racing club be changed from racing to trotting, or hunt, it may retain its right to receive a permit. Authority to refund investments on the totalisator is given in the case of a horse withdrawn before the totalisator is closed. The totalisator shall not be opened for more than eight times on any one day at any race meeting. Section 7 of the Gaming Act is repealed accordingly. There are also clauses governing the disbursement of the assets on the dissolution of a club, and making provision for the appointment of inspectors of totalisators.