Lottery Proceeds

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29871, 11 July 1962, Page 9

Lottery Proceeds

Sir,—Dissipating hunger is “A Practical Business.” This letter stirred my imagination. Mr Gotz's generous offer should not be sniffed at by theologians but put to immediate practical use. Omar Khayyam said: “Take the cash and let the credit go.” Tliis is sound common sense. Wandering around Hokkaido, Shantung, and Taiwan alone, with the temperature in the eighties. I assuaged my appetite with curry and rice. No language difficulties were encountered and the charges were very fair, too. The meat may have been dog, at times —but why worry? Siam is the Asian rice-bowl. Mr Gotz could commission the Thai force to purchase the rice and ship it to Hong Kong and elsewhere. New Zealand could ship cooked beef-mince or cubes. Fuel is scarce in the east and these two ingredients make excellent curry, and rice can be quickly and easily prepared. What is more, rice and tinned cooked beef are easily transported.—Yours, etc., RALPH S. WHEELER. Timaru, July 10, 1962.

Sir. —I protest at the derisive attitude of some members of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce towards the smaller type of bodies, so many of which have received grants from the Kiwi profits. “Tinpot” shows these may be in the eyes of the tycoons of commerce, but as a lifelong resident of a smallish borough in the centre of a rural area. let me assure them that these same organisations do far more good per person involved than most of the major organisations supported by the speakers in question. In the rural areas large organisations are impracticable or often ineffective and I, for one. am glad to see that the Minister appreciates what these small bodies do for their community and the effort that the individual members contribute.—Yours etc., PROUD OF THEM. July 9, 1962.

Sir, —Pensioners who can work are allowed to earn £3 a week; but with others seeking the extra jobs they cannot get any. I suggest that the £3 be given to the pensioners out of the lottery, to toe the line with the cost of living,—Yours, etc., HOUSEWIFE. Sir, —Your cartoon of the Kiwi chasing the lottery basket was very appropriate; but I think a number of the suggestions are wide of the mark. It seems that in seven months £1,000,000 has been paid out in prizes, and after all expenses have been paid the Government becomes “godfather” of £700,000. Instead of giving this "excessive profit” away, why not take, say, 3s 6d in the pound, as at the races, and leave the balance with those to whom it belongs—the ticket-holders. This scheme would stop the rat race and the taxpayers would be richer' by 3s 6d in the pound.—Yours, etc.. LOGICIAN. July 7, 1962. Sir, —The lottery is like everything the Government takes on: the rich man’s hungry hand comes in for the lion’s share.—Yours, etc., FAR BACK DAN. July 7, 1962. [This correspondence may now cease.—Ed., “The Press-”]