“A MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

Otaki Mail, 24 December 1919, Page 2

“A MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

EDITORIAL NOTES. “Peace on Earth.’’ A brief cable message, dated Paris, December 22nd, announces that tho Allies have definitely decided to sign peace before Christmas. In all probability peace has actually been signed ere this. This will come as welcome news to all. The long-drawn-out negotiations following the lengthy Peace Conference have tried our patience sorely, and at times it looked as though tho whole of the peace efforts ! might come to nought. Now, however, peace is definitely assured, and our hearts will go out in thankfulness that, though tho state of affairs in Europe is still so far from satisfactory, the most Bi»mcntous, far - reaching, comprehensive Christian Peace Treaty in the history of the world has been actually completed. That this final stop has been taken at Cliristmastidc will bring the event into still greater prominence, and is surely a happy augury for the future, and a distinct step forward towards that time of “Peace on Earth” to which all Christendom looks forward. Mr Massey’s Opportunity. The return of (he Massey Government with such a big majority gives Mr Massey a great opportunity. The Reform Party has frequently stressed the point that Mr Massey has really never had a chance of doing effective work. There certainly was n good deal in ( the cry. Tho Coalition Government necessaril}’ devoted almost its entire energies to provision for the. war, and during his whole term of office Mr Massey has scarcely had a working majority. Now, however, the Reform party has been returned with an absolute majority. The country is sadly in need of a strong man to deal with the great problems of industrial life, reconstruction, repatriation, settlement of the land, and other great Rational and social problems, and thus Mr Massey has a magnificent opportunity of making good. Will lie use it wisely and well? We all hope so. One thing is certain, that it was ihe determination of the people to have n stable moderate Government that led to the Reform Party having such a big majority, and if the sacred trust of the people is betrayed the people will not forget. Tho Reform Party is now on trial. Mr Massey has an opportunitysuch as is given few men of promoting progressive and humanitarian legislation that should help to make this land of ours what it is so fitted to be, “God’s Own Country.” May he seize his opportunity, and use his power wisely and well! Surprise Packets And Lotteries. A Press Association telegram informs us that in connection with the surprise packet scheme held in conjunction with the recent Catholic bazaar at Wellington, Mr Page, S.M., held, in a judgment given yesterday, that the 'theme came within the definition of a “lottery,” and fined Father Smyth £l9. The magistrate noted that the funds were beiDg collected for a most laudable object, but the permission of the Minister had not been secured for the lottery, and therefore he had no option but to i inflict a fine. This case will doubtless bring the whole question of lotteries prominently before the public. It v.-ill be remembered that the Minister for Internal Affairs some considerable time ago agreed to allow raffles for patriotic objects other than for “works of art.” and during the past few years lotteries

and raffles have been conducted in conjunction with nearly every patriotic special effort in the country. Not only so. but the system has become so common that it has been adopted—quite illegally—in many efforts other than for patriotic objects, and even churches have frequently used this most questionable system in order to raise money. It seems to us high time that the

Government took some steps to cheek this habit, which is having a serious effect on the ruing generation. These raffles, while harmless in themselves, involving the expenditure of but a few pence, are nevertheless lotteries and gambling, just as much as totalisator investments are, and the continuous indulging in such practices must inevitably lead to an enormous spread of the gambling habit, especially among th 3 young people. We cannot but view

with alarm the- hold that gambling bZ3 scared in this Dominion, if the State aiiows all and sundry to engage in th.se practices without hindrance, as been the case of late years, we are a . uxediy sowing a harvest that will have a bitter reaping in the near future. The case referred to above has evidently been taken by the police as a warning to the public that the Government does not intend to be quite so lax in this matter as in the past. The whole matter of permit; for lotteries should be carefully reconsidered by the Government at an early date.