WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1920, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

OUT OF WORK

ORDER PAPER EXHAUSTED

(Our Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, July 19,

Tlie adjournment of the House at half past eight on Friday evening on account of the Order Paper being exhausted a»d the Government having no other business in readiness is not unprecedented in the annals of the elected branch of Legislature. It is not often, however, that the parliamentary machine comes to a standstill in this fashion. The truth of the matter is Mr Massey has' so overloaded himself with work that, labour long hours as he may, it is impossible for him to keep pace with all the demands upon his time. There wer© half a dozen Bills that might have been advanced a further stage on Friday evening, or, at any rate, might have been adequately discussed on their second Reading, but the Prime Minister would not let- tliem proceed till he had examined them for himself, and lienee this rather ludicrous spectacle. AN INSUPPORTABLE BURDEN

In the long years he spent as a member of the Opposition arrayed against Mr Seddon, the present Prime Minister was foremost in his party’s denunciation of “One Man Government,” and his criticism was in a large measure justified, but to-day, with the party positions reversed, he is offending even more flagrantly than the great Liberal leader even did. While he had Sir James Allen and Sir William Fraser sitting in his Cabinet, this tendency to monopolise ail the functions of the Exe. cutive was not so conspicuous, but during the present session it has become a matter of common remark on both sides of the House. The fact that lie is surrounded by a number of new colleagues who yet have to familiarise themselves with the work of their Departments may make it difficult for him to obtain relief, but that relief is necessary in his own interests is obvious to everybody, except, apparently, himself. EXEMPTION FROM INCOME TAX. As far as can be gathered about the lobbies, there is a general feeling among members of the House that neither their own increased salaries nor the increased salaries of Ministers should be exempted from income tax. The‘principle is held to be wrong and entirely opposed to the accepted doctrine of equality of sacrifice. But a majority of the members do not regard the £IOO a year it is proposed, tentatively, to tack on to their own salaries a sufficient increase. Whether they like it or not, they say, they are compelled in a sense to become “professional politicians,” since in session and out of session their constituents expect them to devote themselves to their interests—to travel, to maintain a large correspondence, to interview Ministers and to do many things that cost time and money. Mr Massey has not fixed the sum definitely at £4OO, indeed he is said to favour a larger amount, and probably will leave the precise sum to the determination of the House. THE BOOKMAKER.

Tlie Gaming Act Amendment Bill circulated on Friday is a very drastic measure,, which promises to extinguish the bookmaker altogether and so free the sport of horse-racing from the gravest of its reproaches. It proposes to .make “tlie business or occupation of a bookmaker” unlawful and to render every person carrying on such business or occupation liable to a fine of £SOO or to imprisonment for a term of two years. This is the remedy for many of the abuses of the Turf leading sportsmen have been urging for several years past, and it seems to be justified by Hie failure of every palliative Hint has been applied. The legislation against betting totalisator odds has become almost a dead letter, and the successful prosecutions for keeping common gaming houses and betting in public places have been few and far lietween. Now, however, the bookmaker appears to he doomed, and his passing will occasion few regrets.