WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 February 1921, Page 2

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

COST OF LIVING. (Special Correspondent.) Wellington, Feb. 2. The report of the President of the Board of Trade to th© Prime Minister that prices all round have a falling tendency is welcomed here rather as a forecast of benefits to come than as a record of benefits actually received. There have been reductions in the prices of many articles of drapery, particularly among those that cannot be classed as necessaries of life, but this welcome relief is understood to be due to financial pressure compelling the traders to quit their goods as speedily as possible. But the prices of articles of daily -use, meat, bread, milk, vegetables, coal and so forth are maintained at their former rates and there is no ndication of an early reduction. So far as many of these articles are concerned, indeed, the tendency is in the other direction. THE BOOKMAKER. In addressing the Grand Jury at the opening of the criminal sessions of the Supreme Court yesterday, Mr. Justice Chapman had a good deal to say about the bookmaker and his business. His Honor enlarged upon the meaning of the word “bookmaker,” stating, among other things, that he did not agree with the popular definition, “The man who lays the odds.” It was the man inviting others to bet, he said, who was liable to prosecution. From this expression of high judical opinion the local bookmakers are taking heart' of grace/ and hoping it may be held, they are not transgressing against the new law. ThAt they have been betting as merrily as ever, since the passage of the legislation of last session, everyone knows, and the laugh will be on their side if after all they escape the terrors prepared for them.