State Lotteries

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 223, 16 June 1932, Page 9

State Lotteries

Sir, —Once again the question of “State lotteries” was brought before (lie public notice at the conference of the Hospital Boards’ Association, and the same objection was again brought forward, that of "immorality.” We are continually told by certain individuals that all “art unions” are immoral and encourage the spirit of gambling, but they fail to explain in what way they are immoral and upon what basis morality stands. There is only one basis for social morality, and that is the law of reciprocity as expressed in that precept ”’I hoii shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." which means.that we shall grant to ail others the same rights as we claim tor ourselves. The failure to understand the imperative necessity of this law is m -y--ly responsible for the condition of >he world to-day. Now, Sir, in what way does the investing of half-a-crown in an art union transgress this law? We all take the same risk, and all have equal opportunity "t winning a prize, and at the same t ine the fortunate are helping the unfortumi.e in the hospitals. The spirit of ganib’-i’g is only a perverted form of the spirit ot adventure, which is a natural instinct of the human race, and without which tine can be no progress. The institution i t a State lottery would to some extent control this instinct and turn it to a u-etui purpose.—l am, eetc., P 1 W. W. MARKLAND. Lower Hutt, June 11.