THE GAMING BILL

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 3, 25 October 1924, Page 5

THE GAMING BILL

STONEWALLERS DISGRUNTLED. THIRD READING ON MONDAY. Per Press Association. Wellington, October 24. The Gaining Bill, which has Ireeu before the House since Tuesday afternoon, and which has involved two all night sittings, was further stonewalled. At 3.50 p.m, the chairman put an amendment moved by Mr A. Harris (Waitemata) that the words “Minister of Internal Affairs” bp eliminated, his object being to take away from the Minister the power to grant permits and to confer that power on the Governor-General. If this amendment wa s carried, Mr Harris added, he proposed to supplement it with a proviso that no such permits shall have any effect until they have been approved by the electors by way of a referendum. The. amendment was put and declared lost. Then the chaiirman, amidst a good deal of confusion, proceeded -to put the whole clause. A v division was called fpr and when members were about to go into the lobbies, Mr 11. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs) asked what they were voting upon. On the chairman announcing that it was on the clause and not on the amendment, a-s that bad already been disposed of, Mr Wright, Mr Harris and Labor members protested that they were under the impression that Mr Harris’ amendment was the subject of the division, and tbe Labor members named to act' as tellers declined to act.

After some delay the chairman named two others. A division was taken, and though the figures were not announced, the chairman declared clause two carried. Mr G. Watty (Tticcai'ton.) drew attention to the fact that a number of members had niot voted. Protests continued against the chairman’s ruling but ho maintained that his actions were quite correct, and in accordance with the circumstances. Mr Harris, Mr Wright and the Labor members then announced their intention to take no further part, in, the discussion, and left the chamber in a body. After further discussion the House adjourned at 5.30 p.m. On resuming at 7.30 p.m. the chairman explained that during the dinner adjournment ho had seen the members concerned in the incident that occurred during the afternoon and had explained the committee’s decision to allow the votes f° he taken again Ho had been informed that the members referred to did pot desire-ip. take any further part in the committee proceedings, but would participate in the third reading debate. The committee then defeated Mr Harris’ amendment and carried the re,sjT of the clauses in the Bill. The duly challenge was made by Mr Wright on danse two and the clause Was retained by 41 votes to 5. | A new -clause- proposed by Mr H. Poland K’Ohmemnri) that the minimum weight to be carried by any horse in any handicap flat race shall bo seven stone was adopted by 37 votes to 10. This clause will not operate bill August 1, 1925. i At 8.5 p.m. progress was then reported, and a.s the Speaker resumed the chair the Labor members and Mr Harris took their seats. The third reading wag sot down for next sitting day, and on Mr Massey’s motion, the House adjourned till 7.30 p.m. on Monday.