COMMUNITY PROGRESS RETARDED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19844, 19 May 1927, Page 6

COMMUNITY PROGRESS RETARDED

Sir,—Any action by the individual which tends to reduce him to tho level below which the community has to step out ami assist him is open to public criticism. Wide-spread, these failings should be provided against, as they are a drag on the progressive well-being of the community. The laws formulated to meet with such lapses should be rigor ously carried out. Once the authorities get a suspicion that certain laws are being disregarded, enquiry is instituted immediately, no stone being left unturned to snare the delinquents. A. et what a run the book-makers get in every town in New Zealand, anri; how few towns have had the satisfaction of seeing the Law carried out, thus teaching these parasites that they cannot carry on their trade with impunity! Strictly speaking, the habitual anticipation of obtaining something for nothing has a demoralising effect on the individual. We cannot blame the newspapers. whose function is to cater for all classes of the community. The unlimited space that is given to the sporting section of the people but indicates the great demand for such information. How often is a man’s interest in football restricted to an estimation of the chances of a win for a certain team amd the odds obtainable. The spirit of irresponsibility and abandon appears everywhere. Quite seventy-five per cent of the sporting readers are obsssed with one idea (a poor, foolish one at that), namely to make easy money. Quite a crop of cases have come to light lately where the poor, deluded punters have found that this luxury costs more than they can earn honestly. Thousands more find that it costs more than their home life can spare. The Consolidatei.l Fund gets a “touch” to the tune of many thousands of pounds, and is a charge on taxation. This is quite apart from the demoralising effect on the individuals. 1 feci. Sir, that these are the sentiments of all right-minded people, and respectfully solicit your space. “APEX” Afay 18.