CURRENT TOPICS

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 1, 1 February 1948, Page 6

CURRENT TOPICS

THE GAMING COMMISSIONS REPORT

The strange labyrinth traversed during several months of last year in the search for something approaching the truth concerning the ways of gamblers and those who make a living by catering for the r perverted needs, has yielded material for a report commendable for the promptitude of its appearance, for the thoroughness of its scope, and for the evident recognition of certain of the more flagrant and common breaches of the present Gaming Laws. The effort to formulate some plan for the regulation of this great national evil brings home to the social worker the terrible bold on the community exercised by horse racing and kindred “sports,” in a way that startles and shocks. The calm acceptance of conditions fraught with danger to the whole national character and standing, is a feature causing deep concern. That betting is to be regarded “as a widespread* deeply - rooted and widely approbated propensity,” beyond the power of the law to overcome, but capable of regulation in the public interest, seems to be a submission to entrenched evil. The statement regarding the recommendations on bookmakers’ activities is worth consideration in this connection: “It would be a dangerous thing in any event to give any legal character to the activities of men or a body cf men who for years have persisted in earning their livelihood in defiance of the law and at the risk of often threatened and sometimes imposed imprisonment. We condemn the suggestion that the State should surrender to the difficulty of suppressing illegal bookmaking and embark upon a policy of appeasement by licensing it.” This is good advice. It could be equally applied to certain Irnig-suffered illegalities practised in the liquor traffic. But we are told that these are the results of efforts to restrain and regulate the traffic. Well, well!

THE POLIOMYELITIS EPIDEMIC This major calamity to Dominionwide interests and plans tor the summer, in addition to the heartbreaking sorrow and suffering experienced its victims and their relatives, brings us face to face with a problem which seems little nearer its solution than in 1916, when the first visitation of the epidemic form of the disease was experienced here. Though a great deal of research has been carried cut, the conquest of “Infantile” has not yet eventuated. We hope and pray for the speedy ending of the present epidemic. To those who have suffered in any measure, rve offer our sincere sympathy.

MINISTER FOR HEALTH We Live reason to congratulate the Minister for Health, Miss Mabel Howard, on her forthright and sen-

sible handling of certain matters coming within her sphere of activity. Foremost among these is her work in connection with Mental Hospitals. By personal inve jation, Miss Howard realised the r» 'eu or some alterations in long-established custom, and without delay, saw to it that these were made. Her efforts to abolish the “stigma” attached to the idea of mental illness arc worthy of everyone’s gratitude. Women’s organisations have plodded for ve„rs in the attempt to have the handling of foodstuffs carried out with the maximum of cleanliness and efficiency, and tl* thought that their efforts have some c»\ance of effectiveness through one of tueir own sex in the position held by Miss Howard, is an additional cause for satisfaction that the Government was sufficiently enlightened and progressive to place a woman in charge of the Portfolio cf Public Health.

HOLIDAY DRINKING \t a provincial seaside resort l aving a norma! population of a little over a thousand inhabitants, it was stated in the local newspaper that in ten days of the holiday period £15,000 was spent in beer. “This would mean,” the paper said, “that £1.500 was spent jach of those ten days.” 15,000 to 20,C00 dozen bottles were to be collected as the result of the days of holiday. Comment is needless.

OTAGO CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS The whole Dominion is interested and sympathetic in the happy festival year of Otago. The story of the first foundation of the province is one io stir the blood of all readers. A solid structure of character r*nd achievement has resulted from those early beginnings. The contribution to the rriigiom and cultural life uf New Zealand made by Otago, and especially of course by Dunedin, has been worthy of those great soul* who in days long gone by, stood for freedom and the right to worship in their own community church; and whose sons were among those who began to build “Jerusalem” in this green and pleasant land. We join with all who >end good wishes to Otago.

BEERCOTT” PROFITABLE Since the beer boycott— ot the “beercott.” as it is now knov;n—was imposed on the West Coast, it has had six important results. Gardens row receive more attention; houses arc being painted and repaired; absenteeism at the mines has almost disappear;d; earnings have increased; coa! production has never been higher; and everyone agrees there is a better social and domestic atmosphere prevailing turn there was before. These points are made in an official statement issued by the Grey Valley Miners’ Central Committee. —(Nelson “Evening Mail,” December 11th.)