ETHICS OF SWEEPSTAKES.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 164, 12 July 1924, Page 2

ETHICS OF SWEEPSTAKES.

SMITHFIEI-B CAUGHT OUT. LONDON, June 3. Derby Day has had its little harvest in advance of those who have brought themselves within the purview of the law—innocently! There appeared to-day at the Guildhall, the Court of which" the Lord Mayor of London is the chief magistrate, a number of merchants at Smithfield, who, in the name of charity were promoting a little flutter on the classic race. One of them was a well-known wholesale dealer in New Zealand products. The printer of the tickets for the sweepstake was among those summoned. Mr. Percival Clarke, prosecuting for the police, said there was not the slightest suggestion of fraud against these gentlemen, who conducted the sweepstake solely in the interest of charity for the benefit of the Butchers' and Drovers' Benevolent Association, but there had been a flagrant and persistent disregard of the law. The printer was fined at that court last January in connection with a similar offence, and since 1913 it had been pointed out to them on several occasions that these lotteries were illegal and must cease. Yet they had been continued. In connection with this sweepstake a sum of £4900 was raised. It was made up to £5000 by a benevolent gentleman., and the prizes' were paid out after £1000 had been handed over to the charitable institution. The defendants had paid all the expenses out of their own pockets. The merchants said although pleading guilty they felt that no actual harm had been done. In these days of trade depression and unemployment it was difficult to raise money for charity without these lotteries. Sweepstakes were household words. The printer pointed out that charities benefited by many thousands of pounds in this way. Only recently they got £10,000 for St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Alderman Jacobs said he did not wish to express any opinions on the matter, but on the assurance of the defendants not to continue these lotteries, he fined them £4 each, and £4 4/, costs, as against the two Smithfield merchants.