THE GAMING BILL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19993, 9 November 1927, Page 9

THE GAMING BILL

SECOND READING CARRIED •HOUSE HOLDS LATE SITTING (Per Pre*. Auociation.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 8. After a debate lasting since early the previous evening, the second reading of the Gaming Bill was agreed to by the House of Representatives at 3.10 a.m. to-day. It is not likely that more will be heard of the measure this session. Shortly after midnight a division was taken on the amendment by Mr H. T. Armstrong (Christchurch East) “that the Bill be read this day six months hence,” which was defeated by 28 votes to 21. The debate then took on the character of a dogged resistance, and was continued by Mr H. Holland (Christchurch North) and Mr H. G. R. Mason (Eden), after which Mr W. J. Jordan (Manakau) proceeded to comment on the proportion of totalisator investments taken by racing clubs, when Mr J. A. Lee (Auckland East) drew attention to the “state of the House” —the lights having gone out. The Speaker said it was impossible to say whether or not there was a quorum present, and he proposed to adjourn the House till the ringing of the bell. This was done, and for 15 minutes business was suspended. At the end of that time the lights came on again, and Mr Jordan continued, being frequently interrupted by applications to the Speaker to test the “state of the House.” Mr E. J. Howard (Christchurch South) maintained that the totalisator now clothed gambling in the garment of respectability, with the result that young people breasted up to the machine and put their 10s or £1 on without any sense of shame, and this feeling of boldness was created at their most impressionable age. He was not against the totalisator on the racecouse, but he was against the association of the telegraph office with betting. He was also against the double totalisator and on these reasons he would oppose the Bill.

A division was then taken on the second reading, which was carried by 20 to 14.