WILL DECREASE GAMBLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16555, 14 October 1921, Page 7

WILL DECREASE GAMBLING.

MR MASSEY AND RACING COMMISSION. REPORT MAY NOT PASS HOUSE. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 14. The Prime Minister, replying to a deputation from I’eligious bodies with reference to the Racing Commission's report, said that personally he had eo far only seen a summary of the report, but whatever might bo thought of it, there could be no doubt that it was a very important report. The duty of the Government, Mr Massev said, wag to submit the- report to Parliament some time during the present session. It would not be made a party question, and every member would vote just as he felt inclined and without any interference on the part of the Government. It was true that the report suggested that there should be an increase in the number of race days, but there was this important aspect to be remembered, that these additional days were for country districts where there were no meetings now'. At the same time, it was suggested that some of the clubs in the centres of population should be abolished. The effect of that, he thought, would be to decrease gambling. •Nr^~ t T»r' aS nn a<^voca 4e of gambling, Mr Massey added, and personally he would rather see the sport of horse racing carried on without it. Ho was not sanguine about tho recommendations of the Commission going through the House, as they appeared at present, but the duty of tlie Government was perfectly clear. The Government had to lay th 0 report on the table, and ask the House to agree or disagree With it, and the Government would have to abido by the decision.