“ROLL DOWN” IS BARRED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17853, 22 May 1926, Page 1

“ROLL DOWN” IS BARRED.

PETONE MEN CALL IT “ MUG’S ALLEY.” EXHIBITION LURE A MENACE TO YOUNG (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, May 22 The fascination of one attraction from the Dunedin Exhibition called “Roll Down” does not appeal to ‘the Petone Borough Council, which last evening withdrew a permit granted an applicant named Kruse and gave him a fortnight’s respite to clear his stock. During a discussion, when the Council was approached by a deputation from business men and churches, the "Roll Down” was described by one speaker as “a menace,” by another as “a totalisator 300-fold intensified,” and by a third as “a mug’s alley.” The applicant, who is a local citizen, was present at the meeting. The Deputy-Mayor, who presided, reminded councillors that the Council had during the previous week passed the following resolution:—

“That the permit be issued subject to police and inspector’s reports being favourable.” The police report contained the following cryptic comment:—“J. Kruse applies for a license. I beg to inform you that the police Have no objection, but would respectfully suggest that the permit be issued subject to eancella tion.”

One of the citizens’ deputation stated that they were already contributing to many institutions for the welfare of children. It was when the children left school that temptation resulted. The so-called parlour games were regarded as a great danger to the rising generation. He recalled the time when the matter of hawking street fruit barrows was turned down on the principle of unfairness. A similar attitude was adopted towards parlour games. It was unfair to business men. It affected business in the city and complaints had been made to this effect. It was likely to make inroads in a small place where businesses required nursing.

The Rev. J. A. Lochore advanced the viewpoint of the Protestant churches. He said that he represented the moral and spiritual forces of the community. The clergy, as a body of men, were in no sense whatever opposed to horse racing, but he AT voice: Horse racing is gambling. The Rev. Lochore: You can race horses without gambling. Continuing, he said that it was adults who were putting the pitfalls in front of the young people of the community. “We live in a time when it is equally as difficult for the young people to go straight as the elder people,” he said. “Should we make it harder for them, simply to enable a number of people i to make money and make it easily?” He preferred to consider councillors in the light of City Fathers and the moral needs of the community would be administered bj r them. It was along the lines of moral responsibility that the question was being approached by the churches. J. Kruse, proprietor of the parlours, complained that he ought to have a say, but the Deputy-Mayor would not let him reply. Councillor Schofield pointed out that the permit had been granted subject to certain conditions. Kruse persisted and wished to have his respectability verified. The Deputy-Mayor: Your respectability is not questioned. I can vouch for that. The Deputy-Mayor said that it was evident that there was strong objection throughout the town to the operation of the game. He had been assured that permission had been granted in Wellington through a council department which was ignorant of the nature of the business to be conducted. Wellington had got on the wrong track and so had Auckland. The question was whether the council should land itself in a similar predicament. Councillor Jacobsen thought the games were not desirable. They were not legitimate business. They did not educate, hardly entertained, and merely fascinated. Those he had seen in the city had been made attractive by gaily decorated young women to attract a crowd. He moved for the rescission of the resolution granting and said he would rather see the proprietor suffer a small loss than see the whole town lose through it. Councillor Edwards likened the “Roll-Down” to a church bazaar and said: “This is a fairer game than a raffle. It is a game of skill.” The Deputy-Mayor: I don’t think the same man wins. An amendment to give the proprietor a month to clear up was lost and the permit is to be rescinded in a fortnight.