Prime Minister Displays Caution

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 293, 2 March 1928, Page 1

Prime Minister Displays Caution

¥ILL NOT ADMIT HE HAS PLAYED EUCHRE FORBIDDEN PASTIME (Special to THE SUN) CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. “It would never do for me to admit that I have often played the game. The only possible objection seems to be whether or not people should play cards.” These observations were made to -day Iv the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. iG. Coates, when he met the deputason which sought an amendment, to be Act that declares Progressive luchre, played under certain circumlances, to be an illegal game. The deputation, about 150 strong, insisting of men and women, took ction because of the recent decision Mr. Justice Adams. Introducing the deputation, Mr. E. J. toward, M.P., said that he had not mown of anyone being ruined by ochre parties. The deputation did not omplain about the police, magistrate’s it the Judge’s decision, but it was lought necessary, to have the law Itered. Euchre parties were for the iurpose of assisting schools and chari"How is progressive euchre run?” Isked the Prime Minister ingenuously. Mr. Harvey explained the methods taed, and showed that the hours of jlay were respectable, and that no prize over £1 in value was given, and players paid Is admission to the hall. “I don't think the public knows how ochre parties are conducted,” said Mr. Coatee quietly. “Although it would never do for n« to admit that I have often played the game,” he added, amid laughter, “You can draw your own conclusions. Who gets the booby prize?” he asked. Mr. Harvey said that the booby prize »ag often a very small pair of bathing tranks, out of all proportion to the *ht of the winner, and then went into tetlils about school finance, and asked how the school committee could find tttoney for essentials, if euchre parties *?re not legalised. The Prime Minister: Has there been » public outcry against this innocent torn of amusement? It would not do for me to admit anything,” said Mr. Coates, “the only i-Dssible objection seems to be whether people should play cards or not." ; He added that he would refer the jwstion to the Attorney-General. Anyttilng that brought people together n \ perfect social atmosphere was deMred, apart altogether from anything *lse.