A REBUFF

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 25 October 1924, Page 5

A REBUFF

/ FOR METHODIST MINISTERS. INSIDE HISTORY. OPPOSITION TO GAMING BILL. (By Telegraph—Special to Star.;) .. WELLINGTON, Oct. 24. Justification of the Government in forcing the Gaming Bill to finality is clearly put by the Hon. Downie Stewart (Minister of Customs) in replying to the following telegram from the Rev. Mr Bellhouse (chairman of the Methodist district, Dunedin): “A representative meeting of . ministers .and laymen of Methodist churches in Dunedin, representing 1500 members and ■5000.. adherents, to-day passed a resolution vigorously protesting against the ignoble effort to force the Gaming Bill through Parliament. Economically, socially and morally it will injure the Dominion, and we urge that the Bill should be immediately withdrawn.” ■ Hon. Downie Stewart answered: “Your telegram re Gaming Bill received. The position is very different from what you suppose it to be. Although personally I have A r oted against an increase in permits for reasons which I need not set forth' at present, I am in favour of other clauses in the Bill, which are necessary in the public interests. If the sinister influences that are behind the opposition to this Bill attain their ultimate object you may rest assured that'a standard'of morality in racing matters .will be reached which would be more demoralising and insidious to the welfare of ' K he community than anything that the Dominion ha's yet . seen. This may sound paradoxical to ministers and laymen of the Methodist Church, but your past knowledge of the Prime Minister’s attitude in matters of public and private morality should make you pause liefore describing this effort as. ignoble, without knowing the inside history of the present position.” *