RE THE GAMING BILL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 978, 19 November 1910, Page 10

RE THE GAMING BILL.

Sir,—Tho third reading of Hie Gaming Bill has now been passed, and I suppose it will shortly becomo law. As usual, this Bill has como mi for discussion at tho end of tho season, when the members have been too tired and fagged to take a great deal of interest in it. Very good policy, indeed, on Sir Joseph Ward's part. The black-coated gentlemen mustered in full forco in the House to take notes how members voted on this important .Bill. They should feel highly pleased with themselves to find they, have so many staunch supporters ill the House. There wero some exceptions, and I would like to'mention Mr. Glover, of Auckland, in particular, who was not afraid, but had tho pluck to speak fearlessly, and who did not crawl to tho "ante" crowd for their vote. Next election X hope . tho voters in his electorate will re'memboT this to his credit, and vote solid for him. To this gentlemrfn I lake oil' my hat. I don't know what has come over the sport-loving peoplo of New Zealand. They do not seem to have tho spunk to kick against it, but allow themselves to bo. trod on like worms. November twelve months will ho tho evo of a new election, and tho Gaming Bill will most likely bo a burning question. X do earnestly impress on the voters tho necessity to, vote solid for candidates with broad-minded views. Tho narrow-minded members Clin bo - well spared, and ncirci' ho missed. This will show you to what absurd length tho Prohibition party go. They strongly ob-

jeefc to aud reckon you arc desecrating the Sabbath by going cycling,, boating, driving, motoring, and, lastly, the silliest thing of all, is, by visiting your friends on a Sunday. I want to put it to all of you who take any interest in the couutry, if theso are the gentlemen you would like to run .New Zealand. Pluck up heart, you men, and Jet them gee at nest election that wo are about "full up" of them, and that we do not wish to be governed by a grandmotherly government. A clause which .seemed to slip the memory of some of the AntiGambling members of the House was that it should be a misdemeanour punishable by a heavy fine for any editor to publish results of any race meetings or any sporting notes. I think this would have been about the last straw, and would have broko tho camel's back. —I am, etc., "P. BARNETT.