WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 December 1920, Page 4

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

PROGRESSIVE PAROCHIALISM

PUBLIC WORKS

(Our Special Correspondent).

WELLINGTON, Dec. 10.

The formation of Progressive Leagues in the chief centres of the Dominion, a movement which had its rise in Dunedin, seems to he reviviing the old spirit of parochialism which made the presentation of the Public Works State meat the occasion for angry controversy between the different provincial districts of the country. Otago, to do it justice, appears to have set out with the idea of helping itself by local organisation and effort, but the other provinces saw in the movement a means of exercising pressure upon the politicians and now they all are on a fair way toward reducing it to a scramble for the “loaves and fishes” in the distribution of loan money. At the moment Auckland and Wellington are the most conspicuous figures in this deplorable spectacle, but Canterbury and Otago are by no means regarding it with indifference. WELLINGTON’S COMPLAINT. Wellington’s complaint, which was mentioned in these notes a few days ago, is being iterated and reiterated by t!ie local papers. “During the last three years the railway . construction votes to Auckland province” the “Post” complains, “exceeded the similar votes to the Central District by £213,000, although the population of the Central district exceeded that of Auckland by 93,405.” There is no contention, not even a suggestion, that railways are less required in the Auckland province than they are in the Central district which apparently .includes the whole of the area within Wellington’s commerciad sphere, but simply the claim that Wellington shall have per head of population the same expenditure as Auckland. The claim may have some weight from a local point of view, but one could wish the question were being discussed with rational vision. THE GAMING ACT.

While be admits that the bookmakers are continuing to. operate on a much reduced scale in spite of the stringent penal clauses added to the Gaining Act. the Minister of Justice still believes he is going to get rid of thus class of gambling altogether. The Hon E. P. Lee is a racegoer himself and has no reproaches for those who like to back their fancies on the.totnlisator, hut he is quite determined to have the new law enforced without respect to persons. “The backer,” he said to-day, “is now liable to fine and imprisonment, as well as tho layer of the odds, and sorry as I should he to see big or small sportsmen hauled off to gaol that certainly will lie their fate if they persist in flouting the law.” The days of grace, the Minister lets it be known, have expired and the instructions to the police are now imperative. ELECTORAL REFORM.

The proposal of the Labour representatives in the City Council to apply the system of proportional representation to the election of councillors, was given a very short shrift last night. The Labour members themselves did not put their ease very tactfully, rather emphasising the advantage the system would give to their own party than the equitable representation it would provide for all parties, and they were not even prepared with a reply to the Mayor’s contention that the recent experienoe of New- South A\ ales should condemn proportional representation for all time. But in any case no attempt had been made to educate the public on tho question and councillors following their own bent rejected the proposal by twelve votes to two. It is significant that two of the Labour members, who might have been expected to display some enthusiasm over the question, were not present.