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BOOKMAKERS AND THE LAW

OPEN DEFIANCE ALLEGED MINISTER OF JUSTICE PROMISES ACTION Mr. D. .Tones' (Kaiapoi) drew tho attention of the llims'ter of Justice to o published statement that the Eookmaker was nor pursuing his occupation more vigorously than ever, and launching out in new ways, "with double and treblo betting cards and all Boris of combinations in connco'tion with the smaller meetings." He wished to lenow if the authorities would take action in view cf the large amount oT private business that was likelv to be done in Christehurch next week. ' 7.he Hon E. P. f.eb, in ropiy, said that he bad been receiving these belting curds through tho post: The bookmakers were openly defying tho law, and the public who wore betting with them were also defying the law. The law would havo to be observed so far os> be was concerned. Hi: had -conferred with the Commissioner of Police on moro ihan ono occasion in regard to this matter Instructions had been issued in tho force right down to constables to check this betting, and to see that the law was observed, not only by the bookmakers, but by every member of llho public. "We are'on their tracks," said the Minister, "and if they get into trouble it will bs their own fault. After this warning, if wo aro not able to check this betting I shall be very disappointed wilii tho work of tho Department."

MUST BE SPENT

OUTSTANDING PUBLIC WORKS GKAKTS. Mr. J R. Hamilton (Awarua) suggested U the House, in connection with tbo Public Works Estima:ef>, that authority should be givon for the expenditure of the various grants' without, deify, m mder that tho local bodies might get the works dona in the good weather and havo them off the boohs before March 31 next. Tho Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates) repliol that authorities covering a total sum of about £557,000 were at present in the hand-; of local bridles aucl district engineers throughout New Zealand. The- attitude ■he was taking up was that the authorities now on issue must bo cleaned up before new authorrtes were issued. If thcro wore special circumstances connected with any vote on tho Estimates ho would be pleased to consider "he case If be proceeded .to i*m«i authorities for tho £600,000 on the Estimates In addition to the £557,000 now on i»sue, tho Depnrijnent and' tho Minister of ri'iiaiico would not know what was the position. Ho wished it t'o be understood. distinctly that, the authorities alicady issiiod should be spent. It happened some-Jimes that a local-body received nn authority for a subsidy of, say, .f!i00 It did not feel inclined to proceed with'the work, and it held the authority indennitoly-perhaps for a year or two veors. That was not a businosslike arrangement. Tho" money musi be spent, or the authority wouhH* cancelled, and a fresh start made Then the Minister of Finance would know what wore the liabilities. He was going to send put n circular to local bodies and members of Parliament on this point. "Ux me know the ordor of urgency anil I i>hnll be ve y pfcased to issue authorities.for the old grants and the now ones, added tho Minister.

. THE PUBLIC DEBT SUMMARY OF THE POSITION. A rortirn presented to tho House of Representatives shows the total net debt of the Dominion in March last to havo been .6193,913,191. the amount of productive loans was £08,073,937, and of unproductive loans £103,090,818, making a total of £201,170,755, against which tern_ were "inking funds amounting to X/,257,,%1. . Tin- total annual charges for interest unci sinking fund was £7,2*9,425. .The annua charge for interest and sinking fund, in 191.1 was £2,857,950 Of the reproductive; leans, £80,089.025 represents moneys raised for war purposes. NATIONAL WAT MEMORIAL WHY THE PROPOSALS HAVE NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED. Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South) suggested on Saturday that the Minister of Defence should make public the proposals before the Government in connection with the National War Memorial. Ho said that the people were anxious to have an opportunity of discussing the matter. ... , Sir Heaton Rhodes replied that a few weeks beforo he had made a. statement to the Press explaining the reasons for keeping the proposals secret for the time being. In tho case of some of the sites, suggested, an area of land would have to be taken, and if it were known over what area n proO-.niation was likely to bo placed, values would immediately bo pushed up. The members or the Ministry were anxious to visit the sites under consideration, and so that they might havo an opportunity of making an inspection tho final selection was being left till the session had ended. The Government was as anxious as tho p.eople that finality should be reached soon;

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES Tnß FOIJRTEBN-OUNCE POUND. Mr. 0. .T. Hawkcn (figment) asked the Minister of Internal Affairs in tho House on Saturday afternoon whether in the event of a' Weights and Measures Bill coming down this session or next session, ho would consider regulating the size of tins containing food. Beputed pound tins of jam at present might weigh from eleven to sixteen ounces. It seemed merelv « trick on the part of the traders. It would help the consumer considerably if regulations were enacted requiring a uuiforui sire for the tins. Tho weight was cortainly given on the tins, but the practice was deceptive. Tho Minister (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) said that there was no intention of bringing in legislation this session, but during the recess he would havo the mutter looked into, nnd if .necessary a Bill would be brought down next session.

The Land Drainage Amendment Bill, described by the Minister in chnrge ot it as a purely Departmental measure, not in the least contentious, was passed by the House on Saturday without discussion.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19201101.2.61.2

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 31, 1 November 1920, Page 6

Word count
Tapeke kupu
977

BOOKMAKERS AND THE LAW Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 31, 1 November 1920, Page 6

BOOKMAKERS AND THE LAW Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 31, 1 November 1920, Page 6

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