BOOKMAKER EXTINCTION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160711, 26 July 1920, Page 8

BOOKMAKER EXTINCTION.

The Gaming Act Amendment Bin* popularly known as the “Bookmakef Extinction Bill,” got through Committee in the House of Representatives last week with less damage than was feared by its friends. The only important amendment effected in the measure was the deletion ot the word “summary” from clause 2, thus giving the accused person the right of trial by a jury. A minor amendment made it clear that the fine of £IOO for betting with a, bookmaker was the maximum penalty for this offence, and that any smaller penalty might be inflicted; and another provided that guilty knowledge must exist to make the issue of bookmakers’ cards or circulars punishable. a proposal to legalise the double totalisator was rejected by 42 to 22, a proposal to permit the publication of totalisator dividends by 36 to 28, and a proposal that no totalisator permit should be issued or renewed after the coming into operation of the Bill by 55 to 6. The Bill still has to pass through the ordeal of a third reading in the House, and to make its way through the Council, but it is pretty certain to reach the Statute Book without any further material amendment. Had the Minister and his colleagues stood firmly on the point, the amendment giving accused persons the right of trial by jury would not have been carried, but many of their friends were favourable to the concession and it is not expected to weaken the measure to the extent Mr Downie Stewart has predicted. The Bill is likely to have an easy passage through the Council. The Hon. Oliver Samuel, a very prominent figure at the Racing Conference, is one of the most capable and influential members of the revising Chamber, and he and Sir Francis Bell, the leader of the Council, may be trusted to see the “Lords” do their duty.