Manawatu Daily Times FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 1926. Cabinet Making

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2339, 8 January 1926, Page 6

Manawatu Daily Times FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 1926. Cabinet Making

The suggestions of the “Auckland Star” in regard to the personnel or the reconstructed Cabinet have set other authorities speculating as to the Prime Minister’s intentions. Political circles in Wellington appear to think that Mr Coates will not content himself with merely Ailing the vacancy occasioned by Mr Massey’s death and the vacancies to follow by the retirement of Sir Francis Bell and Sir Heaton Rhodes. That, it is held, would not be reconstruction at all, but simply inadequate patching of the old garment. It is quite true, that Mr J. A. Young, the member for Hamilton has well earned promotion, and that Mr K. S. Williams, the member for Bay of Plenty, has displayed qualities which are bound to bring him into prominence before long. But Mr David Jones. Sir Heaton Rhodes’ successor In the representation of Cllesmere, can hardly expect to possess his predecessor’s portfolio as well as his seat in the Arst session of the now Parliament. The name that seems most Impressive among those mentioned by the “Star” is that of Mr F. J. Rolieston. The member for Timaru has inherited many of the qualities of his distinguished father and has added to them a wide knowledge of affairs which places him in the very front' rank among the young members of the House.

Other Speculations. In ordinary circumstances it would be difficult for a Prime Minister te give much serious consideration to Mr Rolleston’s claims to ministerial rank. During’ the life of the last Parliament the member for Timaru again and again criticised the legislation and the administration of the Government with a freedom and

candour usually reserved for the members of the Opposition. On one or two cfccasions he sided with the Labour Party in divisions against both Reformers and Liberals. That is what his father would have done in similar circumstances. But his hon-

est convictions and his absolute good faith were so obvious that no one dreamed of questioning either his loyalty or his motives. His Inclusion in the reconstructed Cabinet would be a concession to the progressive spirit that is abroad In the country and in keeping with the Prime Minister's declared intention to place patriotism before party. Sir James Parr’s succession to the High Commissionership now appears to be taken for granted and his retirement, of course, would create another vacancy in the Cabinet. Well-informed circles in Auckland according to the "Star", expect Mr E. P. Lee to step into Sir James’s shoes; but in Wellington apparently the member for Oamaru, though with previous ministerial experience, is not counted among the “strong men" needed to give effect to Mr Coates’s inspiring evangel.

The Betting Law. The “Evening Post", at the riaic of being suspected of still rankling under the fine imposed upon it tho other day for indicating totalisator odds, returns to what it calls the farce of the betting law. "To-day," it says in its current issue, “wo have another phase of the whole ridiculous business. Three bookmakers have been fined sums totalling £350. One of them is a returned soldier living on a pension and. a nightwatchman’s pay. His flue was £6O. We do not contend that bookmaking should be carried on without let or hindrance in spite of the law, but is it not a fact that the offenders who are punished are always the small fry? 1s it not a fact, also, that while the big “principals”, often referred to in prosecutions are believed to be operating extensively, they are never caught in the net? What can be said of a law that is framed this 'way? It is time that tjie Legislature gave serious attention to the whole business and amended the law to make it both logical and enforceable.” Tho “Post” very properly divests Itself of all sympathy with the bookmaker, big or small, but perhaps it is just a little disposed to make an ad misericordlam appeal on behalf of the returned soldier whose military services, admirable as they doubtless were, do not entitle him to break the law with Impunity.

The Bookmakers. There can be no question, however, that the “Post” Is, rendering a good service to the community by iterating and reiterating its demand that the betting law shall be administered strictly and' impartially. The prohibition of the publication of totallsator figures and dividends by the newspapers probabl ywas well intended thirty years ago, and may have served some useful purpose; but to-day, ’when the information is available from a score of other sources, It is, as the "Post” has pointed out repeatedly, a ludicrous example of the survival of an inane law. This absurdity persists mainly because it has been used in lUrliament when the gaming laws have been under consideration as a sop to the anti-racing people. They may have failed in every other attack upon the National sport, but they have succeeded in maintaining the prohibition upon the newspapers and so played directly in-' to the hands of the bookmakers. As for tile practical immunity of the big bookmakers from prosecution, this is \ a national scandal for which the politicians must share responsibility with the administrative authorities. Every one knows of the existence of these gentry, a large number of people are acquainted with the ramifications of their operations, and yet none of them ever is landed in gaol. It still remains for some thorough-going reformer to expose the whole sordid business.