THE POSTAL CONFERENCE ON SWEEPS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4675, 21 March 1894, Page 2

THE POSTAL CONFERENCE ON SWEEPS.

Steps for their Suppression, (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) ■ Auckland, Tuesday. : An important discussion took place at the sitting of the Postal Conference yesterday on whether obstacles should be placed in the way of the registration of letters for promoters of racing lotteries. It was recommended by the committee that tho matter be left ip each colony to deal with. | Mr Kidd eaid that while Violoria, South Australia, and New South Wales had passed legislation to prevent tho carrying of letters for the promotion of sweeps, Queensland had practically invited promoters to come to that colony by passing a sheltering resolution of the House. Queensland appeared to forget that no such resolution could go'behind the existing Act, At one time New South Wales was theigreat centre of sweep operations. Then when legislation was paßSed to do away, with sweeps. Queensland allowed 4>he evil to continue. He thought Mr Wilson ought to give a promise that the existing law should be enforced in Queensland in order to put down this enormous evil, this gambling, spirit of the Colony. v

Dr. Cockburn said he knew nothing of what had passed between Queensland and New South Wales, but thought that something should be done in the way of strengthening each other's hands, and then they would be able to make representations to their respective Governments. He was very glad that his bands had been strengthened, as his Government was quite alive to the magnitude of the evil. ...."..

Mr Wynne said'he understood that Queensland had similar legislation to New South Wales, but did not enforce it. The majority in Queensland were in favour of puttiug down sweeps. Mr Wilson explained that it had been moved in the Queensland Legislative Assembly that the law against sweeps shonld be oarried out by the Postmaster- General, and that the resolution was rejected by 87 to 12. He regretted very muoh that since the Victorian and New South Wales Governments had passed laws against gambling, the gambling spirit had evidenced itself in Queensland, but until next Parliament nothing could lie done, Tbe resolution bad been sprung on the House, and the Govern-, ment considered that nothing could be done, especially in view of the fact that delegates at the conference might have something to sty on the matter. The President, Mr Ward, said that in New Zealand there had been legislation for some time past on this question; indeed, it was the first Colony to'adopt suoh legislation. Of course the Government could not put down gambling, but tbey had done their best to prevent the Post Office being made the medium for it. At present they were only partly successful, but.they could, not prevent lettors being sent to -other colonies, and it would only be when all the colonies acted together that the evil could be coped with efficiently, Mr Kidd then moved " That the re. presentativesof this Confei'ence should recommend their yariousGovernments as fur as possible to put a stop to the delivery of letters promoting raoing lotteries," Beferring to Mr Wilson's remarks on the action of the Queensland Government, tbe speaker said that the Exeoutive of any colony was bound to oarry out the laws. He had yet to learn that Government could take shelter behind a resolution in re» gard to a question of this Tsind, Mr Kidd's resolution was subsequently oarried.