PUBLIC OPINION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2457, 23 March 1909, Page 7

PUBLIC OPINION.

LICENSED THUGDOM

The country is clearly go.ng fiom bad to Avoree through' the Gaming Act that Avas placed on the Statute Book a couple cf years ago. The direct result •A the measure,. as ■ was. clearly, foreseen at the time of its enactment, was to increase the volume of wagering on Wse races! This in -itself should be sufficient, to make Parliament ioconSor its handiwork, but hther and .greater evils hare arisen ** »” it imperative to have an alterat the law. The cities and racecourses of New Zealand are now infested By a -snob of unscrupulous ruffians vdios anti-social instincts are imdoi no sort of restraint whatever. Undci oiie guise of being bookmakers they aie able to demand the issue of licences to bet from the racing clubs, and a\^ ei as they were until reeently nuhvidmls who at any moment could be arrested hy the police for vagrancy, they are mow immune from attentions of that sort, their .permits to ‘ lay on the held disclosing that they have lawful means of support. There are no fewer than thirty men in Wellington to-day who though in real truth incorrigible vagrants and worse, are allowed to lit o a lawless life without restraint. Robberies from .the person Avere never so numerous on the racecourse as no»y, At every racemeeting case after case is reported. The Gaming Act by its unfortunate compulsion of racing clubs to issue licenses to so-called - “bookmakers is in reality a measure for licensing as well, A great wrong was'done when the Act was--passed. The condition of affairs that has developed since its adoption has become a grave national scandal. —‘/New Zealand Times.”

IRRIGATION,

Irrigation can only be made profitable bv meaus of thorough and up-to-date cultivation, and-such cultivation implies the employment of labor. That is the burden of a large part- of Mr. Brnee’s report, and it cannot be satet ly ignored. The fact remains, however, /’■"•that irrigation is the prime necessity of Central Otago. Air. Bruce's warnings and qualifications do not alter the general position. They merely show that the question is a complex one and must be dealt with in a cautious and circumspect way. —“Dunedin Star.” DANGER SIGNALS: The Trinity House is now establishing on various danger points on the English Coast a number of submarine fog signals, which will be audible for a distance of fifteen miles. According to an official report which avos recently submitted to the Admiralty, a A r essel supplied with proper receiving apparatus can place, not only the distance, but the bearing and 'direction of the- sound with-remarkable accuracy. Thus equipped,, a vessel in the darkest night of the" blackest fog would for all practical purposes have as accurate a knowledge of the point whore the signal Avas placed as though it was broad and unclouded daylight. The Minister of Marine will surely make the necessary inquiries as to the cost of the system, and let the people know all about it.—“ Evening Post.” . PREVALENCE OF FIRES. "We are firmly of opinion, and find Superintendent Hugo similarly ' minded, that - systematic investigation of the causes, and circumstances of fires is the greatest practical check upon wilfuLor. careless, burning. This being -.50,, we. would suggest that Superintendent Hugo should advise the-Government to take such action as will- ensure this prevention. The : immediate reduction in fire. .waste which would promptly folloav would more than compensate for jjfche small-expense entailed, Avhile the arduous work of fire brigades would he greatly diminished. —“New Zealand Herald.” THE NAVAL PROGRAMME. Wliat the' new naval policy means to may be gathered from the fact that whereas England hitherto has been content to lay down, .two Dread- - ••' Thoughts a year the Germans purpose to lay down four, and the German Navy League," which really dictates the naval policy of the empire, lias recommended that six cruisers of the Indomitable type should be added to the list. : ‘All this is disquieting enough, and though the increase in this year’s estimates is to some. extent leassunng the Government will need to act promptly upon the night it claims to extend its programme unless England is to be left hopelessly behind in the race for .naval supremacy. —“Auckland . btar. PRACTICAL HUMANITY. Undeniably there is much unnecessary cruelty practised, especially in the name of Avhat is miscalled “sport,” cruelty which the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals cannot do much to cope with, but fortunately 'many of the most flagrant cases of cruelty persisted in from day to day can be brought-to light and the delinquent punished.—“Otago Daily Times.” THE HIGH COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE. There is good reason to believe that as Mr. Hall-Jono’s. chief secretary, Mr. Palliser will he the right man in the right place, and u'e have similar confidence in the future success of the genial and energetic Mr. T. H. Hamer, wlio is to. be the new audit officer in London. The appointment of Mr. T. 35- .Donne to fill the new position creat-ctSnb-y the Government in order to meet the special requirements of the Dominion in relation to commerce and immigration is ail important departure which -wc entirely. approye.-r“DuuediivStar/’ . DEARTH QF DOMESTICS: It is a plain matter of- fact that domestic service should have a superior attraction as an employment _ for women than to work in factories and shops, and it is only because it has not been systematised and. given a. recognised status that it. has fallen." into disfavor.—lnvercargill ; “Times.

WHERE REFORM .IS WANTED. The first reform the “Reform .party’ > should strive for is moderation hi their' language; .They ;have :got so _mto--fhe ; habit' of making : extravagant statements and bringing -reckless ch,.i„e:> y ■ : .in-a in <ii^Mui^GavP-r.n