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Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1926, Page 2

The Labor Premier of Xew South Males has learned no doubt the truth of the old saying, “ Save me from my friends.” The “pocket” numbers lately appointed to the Upper House, with a view to ending that branch of the legislature, do not prove to lie “pocket” members after all. They are claiming and using their independence, and are not above offering advise to Mr Lang on the foolhardy aspect of his poliey to abolish the Uper House! Having got that far, Mr Lang finds himself in a quandary and proposes to make

confusion worse confounded by appointing more members to the Upper House. There is no guarantee now that the new appointees will respect their written pledge any more than their predecessors have. With that possible eventuality the Governor may hesitate to agree to call more members to a House where Labour already has on paper a majority. The flooding of the Chamber as now proposed, seems to he outside all reason, and Mr Lang might find constitutional difficulties in the way which can lie solved only by an appeal to the jioople. Probably Mr Lang will hesitate about so heroic a course as" it might lead to his own political decapitation and that would he serious—for M r Lang. Yet such a eonr.se as referring the question of the abolition of the tipper House to the people whether by a general election or a. direct referendum on the question, is not an unreasonable action to expect. The abolition of a section of Parliament is a policy matter really, and from all accounts was not part of the Labour policy at the last poll. Such being the ease, Mr Lang’s democracy to he thorough-going should include the principle of trusting the people and lie should not he afraid of vox populi. He has full and free opportunity of jlutting tlie whole matter before the people and tlie wide publicity given assures tlie people well understanding tlie position. That being so Mr Lang might have confidence in the people to cut the gordinii knot for him—-which, despite the aid of his Labour confreres called to Ids assistance in tlie Upper House, lie is not aide to do. The one and final solution mow is to put tinissue to tlie people. Mr Lang’s tactics however, suggest less direct and ineffective methods.

Tin-: outcome of the tort .scandal at the recent race meeting lias not been pleasant to some ol the prominent actors. Those immediately concerned who, it lias been held did not ride their mounts on their merits, have been subjected to a year’s disqualification. Probably one year will he as good as many more, for having once been found guilty ol such a charge as that preferred, ii will lie difficult indeed. for the horsemen eoncerned to obtain licenses to ride in public again. It is well that in such eases where the offence complained of can ho proved, that the offenders should he well punished. There are reports all too often of these jockev races.” and in eases when moot is lorlbooming it is well if make an example ol tlie otieiiders. Probably all the offenders in the present ease are not brought to hook yet.There wore, doubtless, others in the conspiracy for the totalisator figures indicate that, and it may yet lie possible to bring some of the fraternity i<> book. The net is still dragging and it, is believed not to lie impossible to secure some of tlie larger fish. As far as tlie ease lias gone tile lloelton Jockey ( lull deserves credit for the prompt and condign manner in which tlie case was dealt with. Tilt* wholesale disqualification o! the live out ol six of the jockeys competing in the race shows that the Club did not do tilings by halves, it is invariably the custom for the ( oast. C lulls to deal (irmly with offenders where proof is offering. It is difficult often to sheet home offences. There may l-e suspicions often hut it is not a heartening task to take a man's livelihood away on mere suspicion. Still, it is known that these “games” on the turf recur. It is well, therefore, to make a firm example when offences can he sheeted home. That appears to lie well done in the ease here under not ice.