Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Third of a Century.] THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1906. THE CARRYING OF FIRE-ARMS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXX, Issue 8452, 17 May 1906, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established Third of a Century.] THURSDAY, MAY 17, 1906. THE CARRYING OF FIRE-ARMS.

The thing has grown upon us so gradually that we scarcely notice it. Yet, but a few years ago, we should have been shocked at the thought that every tenth man in the community was carrying a loaded revolver about with him. We used to bewail the American habit of keeping a " gun " in the hip-pocket, and our caricaturists made great capital of it. We cannot help observing to-day that the habit of carrying firearms about in peaceful communities is vastly on the increase amongst us, and the actual present danger attending it, as well as our apprehensions of future developments, constrains us to bestow some passing attention to the subject. It does not promote peace of mind to know that a large number of people amongst us, of various ages, in various stages of mental perturbation probably, some looking for victims, and others liable under sudden excitement to have recourse to the "six shooter," are pervading the towns and roaming the country. It is worth while considering whether the law restraining the use and possession of firearms could not be made more operative than it appears to be at present. The subject might well engage our socialistic reformers. Mr Seddon might indeed devote a portion of his eloquence to it, and it would be taken up far and wide.

I But, beyond all this, there rises special possibilities of the future arising out of the evil. It is clear that human life is ceasing by degrees to have value. Its " sacredness " is at least tarnished. Equally clear is it that the homicidal instinct is either on the increase or is exhibiting itself with greater freedom. To what are we to trace these things ? Partly, no doubt, to the increasing stress of competition and the gloomy nature that the problem of life begins to assume to many; partly, also to the enormous increase of what is termed domestic infelicity, to the growth of illicit intercourse, and generally to the lack of self-restraint which is becoming a feature of modern life. The increase of suicide is by no means a hopeful sign for it is certain to be accompanied by a general indifference to human life. Whatever be the causes, the growth of the evil is beyond all question appalling

The totalisator has recently been discussed by the Press of the Colony, and we may, perhaps, be allowed to contribute towards the controversy, a Masterton experience. Recently, two young men in this town, holding respectable situations and .earning good salaries, asked leave of absence from their employers on a race day. Now, employers know that certain young rneii understand as much about the pace of a horse as

they do about the movements of a camel. They are well aware that it is the fascination of the totalisator—the lust of gambling— not the love of racing, which draws such young men to a racecourse, and they refused the desired permission. Sooner than miss the gambling orgie, the young men in question, threw up their situations. There may have been a dozen instances of this kind, but these two happened to be the number which came under our notice. For certain young men the totalisator is a sort of man eater or Bengal tiger. The Legislature and the Government may admire the Bengal tiger, pat it on the back, and license it tO kill young men ; but, none the less, it is a peril to the community. When fathers and mothers find their sons destroyed by this Bengal tiger, have they not some cause of complaint against both the Legislature and the Government? We have not a word to say [against honest racing; and,, in former days, before the Bengal tiger was let loose, we were present at many a race gathering, and enjoyed our outings; but, now a-days, it is not safe for a young man to go on a racecourse. Is it not about time to muzzle the Bangal tiger at the racecourse ?