SHALL THE MINORITY RULE?

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 100, 24 October 1924, Page 8

SHALL THE MINORITY RULE?

A PEOTEST AGAINST OBSTRUC- ....' TION.

The Welfare League writes: "The worse than farce that is now taking place in Parliament over the Gaming Bill must; makel.the people of this Dominion doubt whether, after all there is such/a thing as democracy in this country. A groat deal of business of greater' importance than racing is waiting to be dealt with, but it is blocked by the obstructive tactics' of a minority in the House who are taking up the attitude that the matter now before it shall not be voted upon unless they get their way. . ■ ■ ■■ "li is not a matter of allowing freedom of discussion, for all have had ample opportunity •of saying all that they wished to say. ,At great cost to the country, by all sorts of 'pointing,' this minority is preventing the decision of the people's representatives from being taken. We want it clearly understood that this league cares nothing about the, particular Bill one way •or the other; what we are concerned about is the effect of this Parliamentary farce upon national interests. By ; the obstruction, which the Government cannot possibly 'take lying down,'; it is most likely that a perfect holocaust of useful legislative work will be the only result to show. "As we have, said, we are not in the least degree concerned with the subject matter of the Biil; wo are concerned with a matter,of deeper'public interest. It is.true, that the matters dealt with by the Bill may be susceptible of difference of opinion, but surely after a reasonable discussion tho right course is to vote and settle it. ■■ . "That is what the people pay members of Parliament to do, not to waste the country's money as they are now doing. The Bill was originally introduced in 1920 (four years ago). It was referred to a Commission which took evidence and reported ; favourably. Though the voting then was largely in favour, it was delayed owing to the Prime Minister's departure for the Imperial Conference. Now, it is beyond question that the, country and Parliament have had the matter in hand long enough in all conscience, and jt ought to be disposed of to make way for the really useful legislation on the Order Paper." .