GAMBLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20339, 21 August 1929, Page 14

GAMBLING.

Sir, —To insult the Judges of the Supreme Court is the last feat of the amusing Mr. Major. His earlier feats amount to tight rope artistry and they leave Blondin dizzy. (1) He has assured us, in the intoxicating atmosphere of the Jockey Club's annual, that all life is a gamble. He believes and preaches that man's life is continuous with that of the universe, he therefore believes that the whole universe is a gamble, is a dice box. 'And then lie figures as co-editor of the Rationalist paper. llow much Rationalism is there in a dice box ? These who believe that there is any are at Monte Carlo working out "systems" that will infallibly break the bank there. And the bank has its tongue in its cheek all the time. (2) He eagerly supported Sir E. Mitchelson, who is a knight, and who is silent, and who is not "jibed" at when,, his knighthood and his silence are placed in juxtaposition. Mr. Major supported the "silent knight" in his attack on the bookmakers and the churches. The latter attack was an outrage. It was supported by no evidence and there is nono in existence. It was not accompanied by any sign that Sir E.' Mitchelson will do anything effective against bookmakers. He simply asks for extended gambling facilities for clubs. He simply wants to add another to tlio demoralising influences working in the community. And this gallant supporter of tlio "silent knight" had attacked the churches, fiercely, and in two papers for venturing to suggest that the programme of "all reasonable men" should bo carried out and bookmakers bo exterminated. Mr. Major is an amusing "yes-no" man. He is anti-bookmaker when in tlio presence of tlio knight. He is pro-bookmaker when lie is on his own, rampaging in the press. He represents the very attiludo which is so dangerous to the public welfare. He wants a licensed betting machine and he also wants the life of the "criminal trado continued. (3) But lie has now attacked the Judges of the Supreme Court. That they do not lay hands on him, is of their patience, for they well might. Ho described the remitting of bookmakers' cases to a Judge of our honourable Courts, as a remission to "Judgo Lynch." I call Their Honors' attention to this outrago on tlicir dignity, and on their probity. The proposal that bookinaking cases should so be dealt with is derived not from the brain of a clergyman. but from tlio Law Society through its presidont. The reason for the proposal is that the criminal trade is prepared to corrupt jurors, and justice is polluted at its fount. Mr. Major has committed himself into the hands of the Rev. Lawson Marsh. Unless his consistency, and his logic undergo transformation ho had better order the hearse for 10 o'clock at the door of the Scots HalJ. My interest in the matter Is a simple desire to see the Hunter Bill, which will throng our post offices with gamblers, mid which will turn the papers into panders to silver bookmakers, defeated. J. J. North.