WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1921, Page 1

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

FOOTBALL

THE SOUTH AFRICAN VICTORY

(.Our Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, July 25

The football match between the visiting Ko-utli Africans and the local representatives was the one subject of interest and discussion here on Saturday. Public and private offices, hanks, shops, even places of refreshment practically suspended business by 11 a.m., four hours before the match was set down to begin and their stall's thronged out in their hundreds and thousands to join the crowd that had lieon gathering outside the gates itt Athletic Park a couple of hours earlier. Tim weather was uninviting, a night’s cold rain being followed by intermittent southerly showers,, aggravated by a boisterous wind, and probably tinoutlook kept away many people who had not reserved seats under cover: but at ! the kick-off between 20,000 and .30.000 people were present and all previous records were broken by a large margin. The game itself was disappointing. The South Africans took the first spoil against the wind and obviously were upset by the strange conditions but the local men did not. make the most of their advantage and by half time, the scores being equip, it was plain the visitors had the game well in hand PACING COMMISSION.

Next to the hig football match the publication of the report of tile Pacing Commission has been the most widely interesting event of the week-end The genera] opinion among sporting people is that the Commission has don • its work uncommonly well. There is disappontment in AYcllington, of course at the addition of only one. day to the racing tit Trentham and at th,. proposed extinction of all its “suburban” meetings. with the exception of Otaki, but there is widespread satisfaction at the Commission’s recommendations for tightening up the admnistration of th© sport. It is felt that if what is proposed in regard to one of the Auckland suburban clubs is justified, then someone officially connected with the, spoil has been neglecting his duty. The suggestion that the proprietary interest, which the public has been extinct for years past, may still exist, has come as a shock to the community and th,. questions are being asked concerning the vigilance of the Racing Conference and the effectiv ■ ness of the present system of control The plain speaking of the Commission in other directions is widely appreciated.

PARLIAMENT TO DECIDE. In handing copies of tlm Commission's report to tile representatives of the Press ,the Minister of Internal

Affairs was careful to make it quite (dear that no new totalisator licenses would b<‘ issued till Parliament had an

opportunity to pronounce an opinion on its recommendations. There is much speculation as to what the attitude of Parliament will he, some j eople holding I hat Ihe increase in the number of licenses will he approved by a substantial majority, and others declaring that a counting of heads reveals a majority against any increase. But in this count the head; of Sir John Luke is included, while, as a matter of fact, Sir John v,ns the principal spokesman of a. dejftilation that waited upon the Prime Minister and the Minister of Internal Aflairs demanding (lie issue of additional licenses to the Wellington Trotting Clnli. This club is recommended for its additional licenses and Sir John can scarcely turn round now and oppose the granting of his own request. There are other cases of the same kind and it seems likely the recommendations of tJm Commission will prevail. POLITICAL PARTIES.

'The little demonstration hv the Progressive Liberal and Moderate Labour Party last week does not seem to have done much towards clarifying the poli. tieal situation. There is a. good deal of •aleem and regard for Air Rtatlihm here, and a suhstantnl measure of sympathy for the policy indicated by his platftarm. but Hie member for Dunedin Central so far has not displayed the nnneb. to employ a popular colloquialism. wliieli is necessary towards the "l-eation of n new party or Ibe rosusei(of ion of an old one. To quote the opinion of one of bis sympathisers, who Jiselnim any intention to reflect upon Afr Afassey or bis predecessors. Air Stnthnm is too mucli of a gentleman and a student for Hie rough and tumble of party strife. But jusf now there appears to be no alternative for tbo progressive Liberals and moderate Labourites. Air AYilford, (be Liberal Tender.

>V nwnv bolidnv making in America and the lion. A. Af. Myers, in many respects tbe best equipped member of tbo like Air ,Stnthnm is temperamentally unfitted for the rough and tumble of polifies, and in addition lacks the art of self advertising. At the moment, in short, the prospects of a progressive revival are not encouraging.