THE BANNING OF LOTTERIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1926, Page 12

THE BANNING OF LOTTERIES.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The letter of "Special Interests" in your issue of Friday shows how very completely our Premier has fallen into the hands of the Philistines. The only thing for him to do now is to club his way out from the elements of wowserism and take his proper place amongst the majority of New Zealand citizens, the level-headed, tolerant public. Mr. Coates will find that in the near future State lotteries will be far preferable to the already overtaxed public than new loans for national reproductive undertakings. These would be snapped up here and in Australia, and there would be no principal or interest to pay. State lotteries would be a healthy outlet for everyone's gambling tendencies, resides being remunerative to the State, the prize-winner.-, and the thousands 11 men employed on national works, the harbour bridge for one, and I would suggest the Highways Board for another. A very large amount is neces-ary to undertake a thorough roading s\stem throughout the country. Doubtless many of your readers will concur in my suggestion.—l am, etc., FOUR BAR. ' (To the Editor.) Sir, —After reading the numerous correspondents favouring Art Unions and other forms of gambling, one must come to the conclusion from their arguments that the way to clear the cloudy atmosphere of gambling that at present prevails would be for the Government to do as is done with the totalisator, that is, stamp all gambling with the Government's brand of approval, then all fruit from that garden would be lovely and sweet. Add a gambling department to such Government institutions as the Public Trust, post and telegraph offices, etc., where all and sundry could obtain a ticket in all art unions. Tattersalls Sweeps, Chines© and other lotteries; license bookmakers and erect a totaVsator at Parliament Buildings, where all lotteries could be drawn and the tote worked by the unemployed members of Parliament. Tht?v would have access to the Government's telephones and the use of the messengers, and there would be then no need of the totalisator on the racecourses at all. and no doubt this would quench the gambling thirst of all. —I am, etc., STATE CONTROL-