THE GAMING BILL

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6407, 27 October 1923, Page 5

THE GAMING BILL

WHY WAS IT SHELVED? DISAPPOINTMENT OF TROTTING CLUB At the annual meeting-of the Te Aroha Trotting Club on Saturday last Mr H. E. Willcox referred to the shelving of the Gaming Bill by the Government. He expressed surprise that when it was made known that the Bill was to be held over there had not beerl more fuss made by non-to-talisator clubs, especially a body like the Wellington Trotting Club. In face of the fact that there was an apparent clear majority in the House, and that it was the apparent desire of the majority of the people that additional permits should be granted, there was no resolution passed by any club expressing disappointment of the Government’s action. He moved: “That the Te Aroha Trotting Club views with disappointment the action of the Government in not bringing the Gaming Bill forward last session,” and that copies of this resolution be sent to the Minister qf Internal Affairs (Hon. Bollard), l&r C. E. Macmillan, M.P., the leader of the Labor Party (Mr H. Holland), and to the Thames and Cambridge Trotting. Clubs. The motion was carried unanimously.

Mr Long said that although the Bill was shelved it was not lost. He attributed the cause of the shelving not altogether to the Prime Minister’s hurried departure for the Imperial Conference, but more so to the bdokmakers organising very strongly throughout New Zealand with the Labor Party to block the Bill going through until they were re-instated. He mentioned that it was more than probable that almost immediately after Mr Massey’s return, the House would be called together to receive his report, and Mr Long considered that the Sports Protection y League should' be approached relative to waiting on the Prime* Minister on his return, and asking that certain very urgent Bills, including the Gaming Amendment Bill, which t have been temporarily shelved through his hurried departure be brought before the House. , -

He moved to this effect. Seconded by Mr Wilcox and carried.