STATE LOTTERIES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 201, 22 May 1931, Page 13

STATE LOTTERIES

Favoured by Farmers

‘KEEP MONEY IN DOMINION’

Dominion Special Service.

Palmerston North, May 21.

Three remits from branches of tlie New Zealand Farmers’ Union recommending that tlie Government be urged to institute State lotteries were dealt with at the interprovincial conference of the New Zealand Farmers* Union at Palmerston North today. After considerable discussion it was decided, by 44 votes to 32, that the State be urged to conduct State lotteries or sweeps for the purpose of providing additional revenue for hospital and charitable aid boards. In moving the motion, Mr. H. R. Rennall stated that he was in favour of the remit on account of the large sums of money that left the Dominion annually in the purchase of tickets in various lotteries in other countries. At such a time as this it was essential that as much money as possible be retained in New Zealand. Sir. J. T. Kent, in seconding the motion, said that tlie various charitable aid institutions in Queensland had benefited considerably through State lotteries. Though opposed to' gambling, Mr. J. Boyce said that as gambling was already prevalent, it would be beneficial to exploit this avenue of revenue to alleviate taxation. Mr. J. H. Bremner opposed the motion on the grounds that it would lessen the independence of the Farmers’ Union if carried. State lotteries would encourage more gambling, and money spent in this direction was often money that should have been applied to the payment of debts. Mr. W. J. Polson. M.U., president of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, maintained that the scheme was pernicious, inasmuch as it would pander to the “get-rich-quick” feeling, and that the scheme was not productive. Money could be better spent in other channels. Gambling was a factor which undermined the manhood of a country, and the institution of State lotteries would legalise gambling. As an organisation, th£ Farmers’ Union should be ashamed to support the motion. Though other countries had adopted this means of assisting charitable aid boards, the effect of lotteries was detrimental. What should be done was to stop the money from leaving the Dominion to buy tickets in sweeps or lotteries.