RACING IN NEW ZEALAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3317, 8 September 1911, Page 5

RACING IN NEW ZEALAND.

INQUIRIES OF RECENT COMMISSION. REPORT TO BE REFERRED BACK. AMENDING BILL HELD OVER TEMPORARILY. tPEE PEESS ASSOCIATION.! ... WELLINGTON, Sept. 7. The House of Representatives tills) afternoon -went into committee on the Gaming Amendment Act. Sir Joseph Ward suggested that Mr Jennings should not proceed with the Bill. There appeared l to. he a great diversity of opinion concerning th<3 Commissioners’ report, and the country clubs were no doubt dissatisfied. There seemed to him to be a good deal to warrant the representations made by the couiftry clubs, but he thought the Commission had done its work to the best of its ability. He suggested that it should be set up again to reconsider the whole position, and country clubs would have the opportunity then of placing their views before it. He made the suggestion to; obviate a long debate on the Bill. .He would communicate with the president within a week and the whole tiling would be done this session.

Mr Herries (Tauranga) said the doubtful point was whether a member should take his chances with the Bill or accept the Premier’s assurances. If Sir Joseph Ward’s suggestion • were taken up, the Commissioner’s report may come down after the session. He was well enough acquainted with the personal of the Commission, and he was sure they would not alter their report. Mr Jennings said lie was prepared to accept the Premier’s suggestion and to report progress on the Bill provided he was assured they would be able to sit again on the Bill if the second report of the Commission was not in consonance with the wishes of the majority of the House.

Mr G. M. Thompson said the Premier was asking the Commission to do something no self-respecting men would do. After a lengthy discussion on familiar lines Mr Jennings said he was prepared to accept the Premier’s suggesting, provided the Commission reported within a week, and lie had leave to discuss the Bill next Thursday, He did not intend to drop the Bill without some assurance that he would get satisfaction. Sir Joseph Ward said that what he had suggested would be in compliance with the present Act. The House resumed at 7.30, when the Gaming Bill was further considered in Committee.

On the motion of Mr Jennings to report progress a long discussion ensued, in which several members strongly objected to the abandonment of the Bill: but Mr Jennings said he would stick to his decision in view of the Premier’s promise. Finally the House divided on the motion to report progress, with leave to sit again. . . The motion was earned by 52 to 44.