Australian Newsletter Churches Criticised On Gambling Issue

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30107, 16 April 1963, Page 7

Australian Newsletter Churches Criticised On Gambling Issue

[By FRANK PUDDICOMBE, N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent! SYDNEY. Church dignitaries and other critics of poker machines — or one-arm bandits, as they are more familiary known —have been blasted by the secretary-manager, Mr George Wintie, of one of Sydney’s biggest sports clubs.

In an eight-page cyclostyled news sheet, which he brings out on behalf at the South Sydney Junior Rugby League Club, he has trenchantly attacked the churches for their anti-poker machine crusade. The club has 93 poker machines and, last year, was reported to have made a profit of £175,000. A couple of weeks ago, Mr E D. Darby, an Independent member for Manly, failed in tne Legislative Assembly to bung down a private members bill to ban poker machines over a five-year per.od. His move, at the time, was praised by several leading churchmen and other antigambiing critics. Stirred by their comments Mr Wintie in his news sheet, and on behalf of his club, has accused the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches of having made millions out of gambling—from the stock exchange to h'usie-housie. Three of the churchmen whom he criticises for their remarks and attitude are the •Anglican Primate of Australia (Archbishop Gough), the Romasi Catholic Archbishop (Cardinal Gilroy), and the superintendent of the Central Methodist Mission (the Rev. Alan Walker). “The Catholic Church, and I make no apologies," he says, “has received millions from housie, raffles and silver circles, etc.

“The Church of England is a big absentee landlord and, in Sydney, has the best land ■nd is getting the best rents." Then he concludes: “What a laugh.” Bark Paintings Sold

Bark paintings by Australian aborigines have just been sold in the United tates at prices varying from £25 to £l5O each. News of their sale was brought back to Sydney, a few days ago, by the aboriginal art expert. Dr. Stuart Scougall. He returned to Australia after what he termed a “successful” fourweek stay in America, during

which he sold nearly all the 52 paintings he had takem with him. But for one of the paintings he said he had refused £320 because he considered it was worth much more. “New York art circles are very interested in our aboriginal painting.” he added. “Three New York museums showed interest in the work."

All the money from the sale of the paintings is held in trust by the Methodist Overseas Mission to be used eventually to help aborigines. Hospital Fees Rise

Having rejected a demand for a royal commission into New South Wales hospital finances. the State Government, after a heated debate, has increased fees for public hospitals throughout the State. The rises will operate from May 1. and will be 16s a day extra in public wards. 20s ; n intermediate wards and 24s in private wards. The move, though not unexpected. was more sudden than anticipated, and has resulted in widespread public protests, to all of which the offlcial reply is that the increases were unavoidable. There was anything but unanimity within the Heffron Labour Government on the wisdom of the move, and, up till the last minute, one of its bitterest opponents was none other than the Minister for Health (Mr Sheahan). He said the other day: “I may be outvoted in Cabinet (as he was), but I always contend that hospital fees, even now, are beyond the ordinary person.

“I am not concerned with those who can pay. I am speaking of the underprivileged—the ased and invalid pensioners, the indigent and the migrants.” He said the Commonwealth Government had failed to carry cut its solemn promise to pay all hospital fees and costs for pensioners. Had it done this, the increases now approved for New South Wales hospitals would not have been necessary. The State Opposition, endeavoured to hold up the legislation by asking for a

Royal commission into the parlous plight of the hospitals but the move did not succeed.

The increases were approved and passed through the Legislative Assembly and the Council almost within hours. Mr Sheahan told the Assembly the amending legislation had been introduced with '•great reluctance,” to which the Opposition leader replied that the rises were shameful.

The Government's argument is that it was driven into the position of having to act quickly, because no help was forthcoming from the Federal Government and the State's hospitals are now £3.5 million “in the red.”

Under the new charges, the fee for a public ward bed will be 60s a day, for an intermediate ward 88s, and for a private one 116 s, and they make New South Wales the dearest State in Australia for hospital treatment. The higher fees apply to all hospitals under the supervision of the New South Wales Hospitals’ Commission, but the Government expects other hospitals outside its control to follow suit soon. The decision of the Government to act as it has was based on a recommendation by the social services committee of the New South Wales branch of the Australian Labour Party executive. It suggested the increases should be from 12J per cent, to 25 per cent, which, it was estimated, would bring in about £3.5 million more in fees in a full year. Petrol Blast A 75-year-old pensioner, Mr Isaac Spreadborough. was Lucky to escape with his life after accidentally dropping his cigarette into a bottle of petrol in his room, at Tennant Creek, in Central Australia. In the explosion which followed, he suffered severe burns to the arms, chest and face. He was rushed to Alice Springs Hospital, where now he is making good progress. Tire fire also ignited and exploded about a dozen shotgun cartridges, but none wounded Mr Spreadborouigh.