“A Quick Economy”

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 287, 31 August 1931, Page 11

“A Quick Economy”

Sir, —The wise heads of the New Zealand Parliament are puzzling over national finance. Wc are in a war-time mess, and the way out is war-time vigour. By the expenditure of half an honest day the present Parliament can save a million a year. That is a modest estimate of what those whom the law classes as criminals, and who are colloquially called “Bookies,” are costing this nation. They stand related to gambling as slygroggers ,do to liquor. Their exploits with the telephone and telegraph services are notorious. So, too, are their methods with income tax. They destroy* the morale of many of the sharp juniors in office and shop. They represent the worst development in the life of our country. That they ought to be extripated everyone knows. That they can be is quite certain. Let these harassed financial experts give the police elastic powers of action. Give them the commission to smoke them out. Class them as idle and disorderly persons within the meaning of the Act. In three months not one of them would be left. Money would find its way into trade channels. The morale of the community would improve. A cool million would be saved. Why does not the “big three” combine, now conferring, agree in this efficacious economy?—l am, etc., J. J. NORTH. Auckland, August 24.