THE SUN Stop Press “GUILTY” M.P’s.

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 188, 29 October 1927, Page 1

THE SUN Stop Press

“GUILTY” M.P’s.

Raid on Rafflers INEXORABLE LAW TRAPPING SIMPLE GAMESTERS (THE SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, To-day. THE police should not have closed down suddenly upon these people, but should have given them warning that breaches of the Gaming Act were being committed,” complained Mr. L. J. Howard, Christchurch South, in the House of Representatives this evening, when referring to the prosecutions which had been instituted in Christchurch recently against those who had conducted raffles, cross-word puzzles and euchre parties. Mr. Howard laughingly admitted that he had had “about ten goes” at a certain sideboard that had been raffled many times.in the Cathedral City during the past few years. Mr. J. Bitchener, Waitaki: Have you not won it yet? Mr. Howard: I have not won it, but I have been buying my ticket regularly for it and giving my half-crown in a good cause. I dare say I have been breaking the law all the time and did not know it. Why, I- suggest that the Minister of Justice himself lias on occasions broken the law, and if he looks in his side pocket now be might find a ticket on. some, of these little raffles. (Laughter.) Why did the police not give these people a chance before closing clown on them. POLICE MUST ACT The Minister of Justice, the Hon. F. J. Rolleston. said that the Gaming Act was being tightened up in many ways and the police were obliged to administer the statute as it existed. The reason why people had been allowed to break the law in the past was because the police had no knowledge of what was going on. It was incorrect to say that no warning had been issued, because a prosecution. of a similar nature had been instituted, and a conviction recorded at Methven six months ago. It could not-be saicl that these people did not know what the law was. The conviction should have been a warning to them-.

Mr. Armstrong: Is it a serious form of gambling? SOME ARE CAUGHT

Mr. Rolleston:. It is a breach of the Gaming Act. Some who are prosecuted might feel aggrieved that others, who are doing the same, have not been prosecuted. but- if• a breach is committed the police afe compelled to act, otherwise serious criticism will be levelled against them. Mr.. H. EL. Holland: Will you prosecute. the member for Christchurch North ? Mr. Rolleston: Well, if he has been doing this all these years, perhaps none will find out. I promise not to tell anyone. (Laughter.) The fact that these things have been going on is because the poli.ee know nothing of it. Mr.. Howard: You: sent special men down to. catch them. Mr.-Rollestonj. I. did not hear of it. The Gaming Act is being tightened up in other • directions and people are being prosecuted. It is hardly fair that they should be brought up and others let off.