THE GAMING AMENDMENT BILL.

Waikato Independent, Volume XII, Issue 1053, 19 August 1911, Page 5

THE GAMING AMENDMENT BILL.

By Telegraph—Press Associate. Wellington, this day. In the course of the discussion on the Racing Commission report in the House yesterday afternoon. Mr Massey supported the amendment contained in Mr Jenning’s Bill. Hon. Mr Millar said he intended to stand by the report, remarking that it was a marvel <the Racing Conference ever issued permits for some grounds, which were described as fit for plough horses rather than racehorses. The Commissioners had done their best under very difficult circumstances, and he considered their decision should be given a fair trial. Several country members followed with vigorous protests against the lack of consideration for country racing clubs. Mr Jennings went so far as to make a suggestion that the House should formally express its disagreement with the report and petition the Governor ■ to disallow it. He promised to move in this direction later. Hon. R. McKenize expressed the opinion that the people would be better off if no racing was allowed. He deplored the deterioration of sport, and declared there was neither justhe nor fair play in the report. ‘‘My intention,” he continued, ‘‘is to abolish the metropolitan clubs altogether—wipe them out of existence—and send the Racing Conference after them. Until that is done there will never be clean racing in the country. For • many years there has been, a tendency towards centralisation, so that half a dozen clubs can fleece the rest of tin people, and the only way to deal effectively with them is to prevent metropolitan clubs from holding meetings anwyhere in the country. lam looking ,forward to the time, probably about this time next year, wh n the totalisator will be wiped out altogether.” The discussion was adjourned.