WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1920, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THTT, GAMING ACT. MINISTER'S GOOD RESOLUTIONS. (From Our Own Correspondent). Wellington, Nov. 24. It is understood that the Hon. E. P.. Lee, in his dual capacity of Minister of Justice and Minister in Charge of Police, has made up his mind that the provisions of the amended Gaming Act aiming at the extinction of the bookmakers are to be rigorously enforced. So far the new law has done little towards restricting tlie operations of the gem.emen who lay the odds to half-crowns, pounds, and hundreds/ and fare sumptuously every race day on the credulity of people who imagine they know a little more than do the men who make it their business to be certain. Here and there one or two of the smaller operators, knowing that the zeal of the police is reserved rather for the little offenders than for the big, have taken fright and ceased to give any prominence to their readiness, to accommodate the aspiring punter. But for the most part the business hsis been going on a 9 merrily as ever, and yesterday anyone knowing liis way about might have found a dozen places in Wellington wliere he could have backed his fancies for the races going ou at Ashhurst to-day. TO-MORROW. Whether or not the same facilities will be open to the gay punters to-morrow depends upon how far the reports of the Minister's good intentions are justified by his performances. That the new law is capable of effecting the purpose for wliich it was placed on the Statute Book there can be no doubt. Though introduced by the present Minister of Internal Affairs and through Parliament by the tenacity of his colleagues, it was originally drafted by a former occupant of the office, a legal gentleman of high standing in his profession, who would not be likely to leave any loopholes for its evasion. The measure was thoroughly overhauled by Sir Francis Bell, one of the most eminent lawyers in the Dominion, during its passage through the Legislative Council, and this high authority pronounced it sufficiently strong and comprehensive to suppress tlie evil with which it was intended to deal. If the Act fails it will be on account of halfhearted and timid administration in the face of a public opinion which at the moment seems amazingly apathetic over the whole question. A TRIAL 0? STRENGTH. There is aa yet, however, no reason to regard failure as inevitable. Quite the contrary. The Minister has been creating a stir in the Police Department during the last few days. He has given high officers in the Department to understand that he is going to make the efficacy of the recent legislation his personal concern. Notoriously the rank and file of the police force for long years have been among the best customers of the bookmakers. This kind of thing is to stop absolutely. Anv member of the force having betting transactions outside of the very narrow limits of the law. whether an inspector or a first, year constable, is to be dismissed. If the ofiicers cannot discover the sources of the evil they will be supplanted by others who can and will. Mr, Lee is a man of his word, and if it comes to a contest between the Minister and the Department he will have his way. His reputation as an administrator is at stake ond with this incentive to root out the evil, he may be trusted to put forward every effpit towards that end.