PARLIAMENT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 86, 11 December 1913, Page 6

PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TO-DAY'S SITTINGS. [Pee Press Association.] , Wellington, December 11. The House met at 11 o'clock. Mr Hemes laid on the table the new regulations governing the Railway Department. .. -In answer to-qiiestions, Mr. Homos declared that most of the grievances previously i existing in the ; Department had been remedied,"" especially regarding sick pay and leave. •it The-Council amendments to the Native Lands Bill were agreed to. The managers who .conferred with managers from the Council on Municipal Corporation-Amendment Bill reported that they" had been unable to agree regarding the amendment, and a new manager \y;as appointed to hold a second conference.

Mr Statham presented the report of a joint defence committee. Sir Joseph Ward asked that consideration of the report be postponed. The House agreed to the adjournment of the discussion on the joint defence, committee's report. Mr Hunter moved the second reading of the Gaming Amendment Bill. Ht» said the main object of the Bill was to enable the Minister for Internal Affairs to grant' thirty extra permits to country clubs racing on one day only during the year. These clubs had been treated to a grave injustice by the Racing Commission. In the year 1894 the number of days on which the totalisator could be used was 287. He now proposed that the number be 280, or seven less, notwithstanding the great increase in population. He moved the Bill in the interests of true sport.

Mr Isitt said he opposed the sport,; which was associated with and dependent on a huge gambling system. He dealt with the past history of racing and the totalisator. and pointed out that in 1907 it had been found necessary to curtail the use of the totalisator. In 1910 Sir Joseplr'Ward had moved to repeal the Act licensing bookmakers, also the abolition of the totalisator and reduction of the days of racing. After that came the Racing Commission and the reduction of racing days Mr G. M. Thomson said he agreed with Mr Isitt and objected absolutely to gambling and the totalisator. He regretted that it had become fashionable and respectable for people to go to races. If he employed would not allow his employees to frequent a racecourse. Mr MacDonald said he would support the Bill. Racing people did no more harm than those of any other occupation.