THE GAMING BILL

Waikato Times, Volume 93, Issue 14490, 13 October 1920, Page 5

THE GAMING BILL

COMPROMISE ENDS STONEWALL. COMMISSION TO BE SET UP. TO ENQUIRE INTO PERMITS. (Bv Telegraph.—Special to Times.) W ELLINGTON, Tuesday. The long stonewall on Mr Hunter’s Gaining Amendment Bill ended in a compromise. At 7.30 a.in. the House adjourned for breakfast, resuming at nine. Mr Massey then said he thought that the House had taken up just, about sufficient time over the Bill. There was nothing new in Hie obstruction, and it was Hie easiest tiling in the world to delay the business of Hie House and Hie country. He had had some little experience in that connection himself. He thought that the proper thing to do was to allow the majority to rule. A division had shown that by more than a two to one majority the House was in favour of the Bill. He, agreed that the distribution of permits was not satisfactory. He could not ignore the division that hail taken place, nor eould he allow any more time to be taken up unless a majority of the House insisted upon it. He proposed to recommend Cabinet to set up a commission to go into the whole question. . Mr W. D. Lysnar (Gisborne) ; Let us go on with the Bill. Mr Massey; No. I have the responsibility to the country, and I have to get through the business of the House. There is a very great dent to he done. Mr C. Hunter (Waipawa), the member in charge of Hie Bill, said he thought Hie House would have to accept the position as outlined by the Prime Minister. ‘‘l very much regret,” he said, “that we have got into this position, hut I feel that the Prime Minister is the person who is entitled to say how the business of Hie House should ho conducted. It is a great disappointment to us who have sat up all night to see that the Prime Minister is not able to give time for further discussion on the Bill. However, I think he has given the House a very reasonable time, and in that time we Lave not been able to accomplish our object on account of Hie opposition offered by a small section of the House. Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North), who had been prominent among Hie stoncwallers, said that if the Prime Minister"was willing to set up a commission which would take evidence on all sides, and if the commission reported to the House Hie opponents of the Bill would then recognise that the mailer had been before the country, and Hie opposition woijkl be very different. Mr Massey indicated, in answer to questions, that the country districts would be represented on the commission. which would have Hie right to

recommend additional permits. If it was possible for the commission to report before Hie end of the session legislation would be brought down during the present session; if not he would consult the Crown Law officers to see whether it was possible to put legislation on the Statute Book, allowing the Government to give effect to tile recommendations of the commission » Several members were unwilling to give up the light, and considerable discussion follow'd, lint, finally Mr Massey moved that the committee report, progress, and ask for leave to sit, again. He explained flint the Government could take up in stages a private member’s bill without having to go over again that portion of the Bill which had already been passed. After further discussion the Premier’s motion was agreed to on the voices, and the House rose at 10.33 a.m. till 7.30 this evening.