MINISTERS DEPENDED

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6964, 2 November 1909, Page 7

MINISTERS DEPENDED

(To tiro Editor "N.Z. Times.”) Sir, —With some difficulty I have kept silence at the repeated and impertinent attacks made upon two Ministers of the Crown for attending a dinner given at the opening of a local institution. The last straw, however, has blown in. Mr J. J. North, -supported by Mr A, It. Atkinson and Mr T. „E. Taylor, M.P., is once more after scalps. On this occasion the Hoir. J. Carroll and the Hon. J. A. Millar are the 1 victims, their offence being that they attended the opening of Tattersall’s Club. Tor this there are ; hysterical '(shrieks and sepulchral groans of “shame,” Patience does cease to he a virtue when confronted with such illogical reasoning; hut bigotry was ever thus. As a preface to my remarks may I recall an event of a year or two ago? It was a special meeting called and adressed by Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., in Christchurch, upon the* iniquities of the freehold tenure. The harangue was Characteristic of the speaker, being a kaleidoscope of invective against every individual who owned a foot of freehold. At the conclusion of the impeachment a small voice in the audience politely asked whether it was correct that Hr Taylor had purchased a substantial area of the lower slopes of the Port Hills adjoining Sydenham, and later - cut it up into small areas and, sold at a very considerable profit, and, if so, how did he reconcile that action and his speech? Mr Taylor replied _ that the statement of fact contained in the question was correct in detail and that he justified his action because the law allowed it. Now, the point of this story will be obvious presently. There are many thousands of people who disapprove of the totalisator, but the law allows it. Do wo cry shame at every person who uses it? But undoubtedly it. would soon ring its own death knell, if it were not under proper and strict supervision, so wo have to guide its destinies to shiefd it from’ahnse, by a Eacing Conference composed of gentlemen of standing and integrity, who practically guarantee (he bona fidcs of the clubs who aire granted permits so long as they “play the game.” Again, how many persons in our Dominion condemn 'boxing contests and brand'them ns relics of barbarism, yet the law recognises them. Do we cry shame at the King’s representative. Ministers of the Church and State for witnessing them? No; for we know it is true snort, kept pure by the authoritathe body that 'Parliament insists

diall administer its affairs. Without th’A boxing, no doubt, would become a discredit to our civilisation. Once more a Mibstantial section of the* community disapprove of our Labour luuv, unions. prcterenc' 1 to unionisl >, etc. But what would bo thought of-the lunatic who cried “-Jiaine’’ at a Minister of the Crown for attending one cf their .socials or Labour Dav picnics? 1 am compelled to think that’all sensible and reasonable persons would have the same opinion of them that is held of Messrs North, Aikimmii, and Taylor. Now for Tatler-sall s Club. We have seen that: the totalizator, boxing, and other evils (?) are recognised by law and 1 ; supervised and kept in order by recog-s nised and competent bodies, without which ihev might become a menace to society. Betting has been recognised by la w, it has Parliamentary .sanction, very wrongly, perhaps, bub so has the freehold, and though very wicked, Mr 1. E. Taylor, M.P., hats his “flutter, and, don’t forgot, gamble too, because the law allows it. When the Act permitting betting was parsed many undesirables were attracted to our shores, people were exploited, and a very unsavoury odour pervaded our racecourses. The respectable section of the bookmakers (please remember, Messrs North and Co., that, like the profession of the clergy, there are isolated cases of respectability among bookmakers) resented this, and looked for a panacea for the evil, and came to the proper conclusion that there must bo a recognised governing body. Leading citizens ui different parts of the Dominion were thereupon approached and asked- to become the administrators and trustees of a club, the mission of which ahould be to purity the ranks of professional betting men and guarantee their bona tides. Tattersail’s Club is now an accomxdished reality, with great jjotentialities for good. The administration,’ the management, the enforcement of the strict, almost arbitrary rules of the club are entirely and absolutely in the hands of a body of gentlemen of social and commercial status and unimpeachable character. _ A bookmaker is entitled to membership only and that by ballot and the payment of a substantial fee. His conduct in and out of the club is zealously watched, and should ho transgress any of the rules or bo guilty of any dishonourable action his name is immediately struck off the list of membership. It is obvious that such an association is necessary and must lead to purer sport, be of invaluable service to the officers of our racing clubs, and safeguard the general public. Eor attending the opening of such an institution Messrs 'Carroll and • Millar are to be crucified. They should be applauded for their strength of purpose, their presence and eloquent counsel. Their names will live when those of Messrs North, Atkinson, and Taylor will be forgotten.— I am, etc., VOX POPULL Hastings,! October 26th,