THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 7180, 6 April 1887, Page 2

THE PREMIER AT AUCKLAND.

OS GAMBLING. I The Rev. Mr Monro, moderator of the Presbyterian Assembly, in forwarding to the Premier the Assembly's resolution against the continued legalisation of the totalisator, urged the great damage that is being done to the youth of this Colony through the rapidly-growing practice of gambling; and it Was the opinion of the members of the Assembly, who had examined the matter, that the legalising of the totalisator had developed rather than diminished this spirit of gambling. The scenes witnessed on many racecourses, as described by the Press, showed an urgent need for the Government taking immediate steps to abolish the totalisator, and to use their influence to check the growth of gambling, which must necessarily show itself by and by in the commercial and social life of the Colony. The Premier yesterday sent the following reply:— Rev. and Dear Sir,—l am in receipt of your letter of 12th March, conveying to me the resolution unanimously passed at tbo meeting of the General Assembly cf your Church in Wellington against legalising: totalisators. lam at one with the Assembly as to the need of discouraging gambling in every possible way. I regret to say, however, that session an amendment was passed, against the vigorous protest of myself and other members, allowing sweeps at races; and until public opinion is thoroughly aroused as to the evils arising from gambling, I am afraid it is hopeless to expect Parliament to interfere. So long as the leading people of all our communities encourage horse racing and gambling by means of totalisators, it is hopeless to expect from Parliament anything but a reflex »t public opinion. I would suggest that the proper way to adopt to get gambling lessened in the Colony is for those who oppose It to create a publio opinion on the subject. Were this done, legislation might bo attempted ; but until that is done I am aftaid it will be hopeless to expect any remedy from Parliament. I need only add that any effort to put down gambling would receivo my hearty support.-Yours very tiu y, Robert Stout. The Presbytery expressed pleasure at the tenor of the Premier's reply. THE NEW HEBRIDES. The Rev. G. B. Monro also received from the Premier the following reply to the Assembly's address re the contemplated French annexation of the New Hebrides : " I need not say that I exceedingly regret the position into which the New Hebrides question has drifted. I do not see any chance of the islands being annexed to Britain, and the only solution I think possible now would be for the English Government to try and obtain those islands that have been the seat of Proteptant English missionaries, leaving to France the other islands. The way in which British statesmen have during the last fifty years allowed the Pacific Islands question to drift shows that it is hopeless now to expect any vigorous action without provoking hostilities from European Powers." to-night's address. A deputation from the Auckland Radical Reform League waited on the Premier to-day, and asked him to touch on the following subjects in his address to-night: Land and income tax, abolition of plural voting, protection of local industries, local self-government, defence, war expenditure, legislative retrenchment, and reduction of the Governor's salary.