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Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1926, Page 2

Tim point has been raised owing to the difficulties of the Canadian political situation, that the Imperial Conference fixed provisionally for October may not come to pass. This is unfortunate. because of several important matters to come forward. New Zea-

land was preparing to be represented by its Prime Minister, who purposed leaving Parliament in session in order to he in London betimes. It is necessary to have Canada officially represented as Canada, is an important Imperial section in regard to which many rumours have been current of late. At the same time there are so many general questions calling for discussion, that it would he difficult to postpone the Conference to any remoto date. The Dominions have expressed a desire to know something of the British European policy in regard to the Locarno Pact. This is a- matter of the highest importance and a round table talk is essential in the effort.to reach unanimity of action on what is a matter of the highest national importance. It is very necessary to have Canada in unison on this subject for the reason that that great dominion is an integral part of the (Empire, worthy of the closest consultation where a foreign war might arise, and this aspect of a. very difficult international question makes a Conference an outstanding necessity for the oversea dominions. It will take Canada some little time to settle her political troubles and until they are settled and a stable government set up, there is no one to speak authoritatively for Canada. Some postponement must therefore take place, which is most unfortunate, but unavoidable.

Tim Government has issued a definiie statement that art unions as conducted in the Dominion of late, are to cease. The projects cannot by any si retell of imagination, be considered art unions, but a good matured Minister tok a liberal view of the position, and issued permits for all sorts of purposes—even to assist an opposing political party to raise campaign funds to fight the government. Probably lie last named was a. slip on tlic part of the Minister which is not likely to occur again; but the Minister for the -Government has been very generous, and his generosity has caused the system to break down with its own weight. The art unions of late were really raffles, a ready form of gambling which the public took to very readily-. Gambling in-itself is not immoral, that is there need he no wrong in it; hut like everything else, it may he abused, and there may lie overmuch of it. The art unions were so boomed that they have become something of a nuisance awl the plethora. of similar rallies naturally created, much discussion, and in the on dthe section of public opinion so often to he heard in such matters managed to reach the ear of the Government, and prohibition is to be enforced, of course, as is often tlie case when the prohibition is not palatable, the practive is driven underground, hut is it. there all the time. If the public may not gamble openly they will do so under the rose, and sweeps oversea will get much surplus money from New Zealand. No doubt the Government know of this practice, hut it is winked at and the gambling fever is rampant in that respect, as postal and other returns could make plain. The gambling spirit has been cultivated greatly by these raffles, and the Government will find itself unable to suppress the speculative spirit of the masses while human nature is what it