ART UNIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 53, 4 March 1925, Page 11

ART UNIONS.

"WORSE THAN INFANTILE." CLERICAL CONDEMNATION. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") DUXEDIN, this day. A message from Invercargill yesterday stated that an art union, embracing the whole of New Zealand, was soon to be organised by a committee of citizens, the proceeds to be spent on winter playing areas in and around Invercargill. The expenses, about £7000, have been guaranteed.

-Mention of the matter was made at this morning's meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery. The Rev. IVotter said they had spoken about a lottery for Logan Park ground, and had felt sure at the time that it was only the beginning of the disease, and that it would be all over the country, and do grave harm.

"It ■will," said, the speaker, "create moral paralysis, "which, is in many respects a greater menace to the life of the country than infantile paralysis/ There were tremendous moral dangers about ithis kind of gambling. The only way to combat it was perhaps to get some amendment to the law. He moved that the question be referred to the Public Questions Committee, which would have -to see what could be done to raise a cry of protest, and, if necessary, seek an amendment to the law.

The Rev. Dr. Merrington said these signs indicated pretty well the tendency of affairs. "I feel," he continued, "that a strong and united protest, and a deputation, is the only way to combat this evil in high places. We need the cooperation of all 'the denominations of the Council of Christian Congregations, the Anglican Church, and all religious and moral agencies in the Dominion. Unless something is done, I think matters will go from bad to worse." The motion was carried.