WELLINGTON TOPICS. THE GRAND NATIONAL.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 15 September 1916, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE GRAND NATIONAL.

DISCUSSED IN THE “METHODIST.” The editor of the New Zealand,, Methodist does not hesitate to declare that in its relation to morals “the present Parliament, and notoriously the piesent Government, is one of the worst that New Zealand has ever known.” And under the heading of ‘‘The Grand National lie furnishes a vivid picture of New Zealand in war time: Not to know what “The Grand National” means argues almost unpardonable ignorance. It is an event, so important as to cast in the shade for the time being almost every other. In connection with the event Christchurch is crowded with visitors. Incoming trains and ferry steamers rife packed to their utmost capacity. The occasion is honoured, with the presence of the representatives of Royalty, his Excellency Lord Liverpool and Lady Liverpool. A number, of the Ministers of the Crown come to it to refresh their jaded energies after the exertions of Parliament. Batches of Government officials from ’north and south discover, that Christchurch at such a Jjme compels' their attendance on urgent business. Columns of descriptive writing appear in fh e Christchurch papers setting forth the elaborate dresses worn by the ladies, who add gaiety to the scene. And the centre of all this commotion that makes itself felt from one* end of the Dominion to the other is—what? A horse,.race. Only that and nothing more., Ought we not to feel proud of, a country that when -50,000 of its sous have gone forth prepared to lay down their. Jives for it in the g-riin tussle, of war, .cam p : a\-,sucb, homage to such, a-sordid, corrupting sport as a horse race like the Grand National is to-day? It is really maligning a noble animal like the horse to associate it with such “a gigantic engine of national demoralisation.” If a Zepi* pelin bomb were to smash into matchwood the totalisator that stands out as the most conspicuous feature of the racecourse, how many fine ladies or fine gentlemen either wouldtak e a single atom of interest in the splendid animals that came galloping up towards th c winning-post? It is that fact that makes the Grand National the register of a national disgrace, especially when the fate of the Empire hangs in the balance in this cruel war. During the Grand National week these turf patriots showed their zeal for the cause of Empire by putting through rli<' totalisator no loss a sum than £2111,-143, or £.14,952 in excess of that of any previous year. And this orgy of wicked waste goes on under the immediate patronage of Cabinet Ministers who have bawled themselves hoarse in calling upon the people of Now Zealand in this time of stress to

practice economy. Once again we- are moved to sympathise with Henry Ward Beecher when ho prayed. “Lord help us that we may not despise our rulers, and help them, Lord; so that they may not act osthat wo can h help despising them.”