WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1920, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE GAMING ACT.

MINISTER’S GOOD RESOLUTIONS

(Ouf’ Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 24

It is Hpderstood that the Rpq E. P. Lee, jq his. dual capacity of Mipjster of Jqstipc qmj Minister in Charge of Rojjce, |jas piadp pp |ps nppd Rat the prpyisjpiis pf Rp ajqpqfjpd .Qaiqjng Act qjpiipg qt Rp pxtincjtjpq pf Re bpolcqjalcppi? q;p tp b,e rigorously pnfprced. So tiff .Re new jaw has done little towards restricting the operations pf Re gcntjeineq ivlio lay thp odds tp Jialfcrpiyns, pounds, a pel hundreds and fare sumptuously every race day pp the credulity of people who imagine they know a littje mqre than do the mpn who inakp it their business to be certain. Help and there ppe or two of the smaller operators, knowing tliqt the zeal of the police is reserypd rather for the little offenders than for the big, ljavc taken fright and ceased to give any prominence to tßeir readiness to accommodate the aspiring punter. But for the niost part the business has been gojng on as merrily as pver, and yesterday anyoqe knowing bis way about might, have fouqd a dqzeq places in Wellington where he could have backed bis fancies lor Re rapes going on at Asbiiurst to-day.

TO-MORROW. Wheßer or not thp same facilities will be open to the gay punters tomorrow, depends upon how far the reports of the Minister’s good intentions are justified by lqs performances. That Re new law is capable of effecting the purpose for which it was placed on the Statute Book there need be no doubt. Though introduced by the present Minister of Internal Affairs and carried thrpugh Parliament by the tenacity of his colleagues, it was originally drafted by a former occupant of the office, a legal gentleman of high standiqg in liisf profession, who would not be likely to leave any loop-holes for its evasion. The measure was thoroughly over-haul-ed by Sir Francis Bell, one of the most eminent lawyers jn the Dominion, during its passage through tjie Legislative Council and this high authority pronounced ft sufficiently strong and comprehensive tp suppress the evil with which it was intended to deal. If the Act fails it will be on account of halfhearted and timid administration in the face of a public opinion which at the moment seems amazingly apathetic over the whole question. A TRIAL OF STRENGTH.

There is as yet, however, no reason to regard failure as inevitable. Quite the contrary. The Minister has been creatipg a stir in the Police Department during the last few days. He. has given high officers in the Department to understand that lie is going to make the efficacy of the recent legislation his personal concern. Notoriously the rank and file of the police forep for long yea£s_have been among the best customers of the bookmakers. This kind of thing is to stop absolutely. Any member of the force having betting transactions outside of the very narrow limits of the law, whether an inspector or a first vgar constable, is tp be dismissed, jf the officers cannot discover Re sources of the evil they will be supplanted by others who can and will. Air Lee is. a man of Ids word and if it comes to a contest between the Minister and the Department he will have his way. His , reputation as an administrator, is at stake and with this incentive to root put the evil, lie may be trusted to put forward every effort towards that end.