THE CHURCH AND GAMBLING
VIEWS OF PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY •'The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND. November 3. “The Church must refuse to use any forms of gambling, raffles, or games of chance in church bazaars, sales of work and other church functions. Gambling is a great wrong in society. The influence of betting shops is very strong throughout the community. The Church must take a clear line in opposition to gambling in all forms,” said the Rev. J. S. Somerville, presenting the report of the public questions committee to the Presbyterian General Assembly. Speaking of the suggestion that betting pools be introduced into the country, Mr Somerville said: “It has been suggested that such methods be used to gather funds for sport, and could be run for the good of sport. But i® use the evils of gambling to assist sport would be playing with fire. Do we want sport polluted and commercialised?” Mr Somerville expressed appreciation of the courage and conviction of the members of both Houses of Parliament who voted against the Gaming Bill. The Assembly resolved to direct its congregations to carry out former Assembly decisions which did not permit gambling for church purposes.
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Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26261, 4 November 1950, Page 6
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195THE CHURCH AND GAMBLING Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26261, 4 November 1950, Page 6
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