ART UNION PERMITS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 171, 15 April 1933, Page 10

ART UNION PERMITS

Defence on Ground of Public Desire to Gamble REPLY TO DEPUTATION By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, April 13. Strong protests at the granting of permits to hold lotteries were made to the Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Internal Affairs, by a deputation of citizens, including Archbishop Averill and Dr. J. J. North, president of the Council of Christian Congregations. In replying the Minister said he was glad to hear an expression of views on au important matter of great social interest to the community. While the deputation represented a volume of public opinion, he said, what had been impressing him greatly was the tremendous following of public opinion that was out to get an opportunity to participate in art unions. During the last week of the session he had an average of eight applications for art unions daily, representing" different interests. That went on all the time. They could see how widespread was the desire to hold art unions. Regarding depots for selling tickets on the main streets, the Minister said this was largely a matter-for regulation by municipal authorities, and not by the Government, There was wide feeling that the community wanted to gamble and would gamble. It had been urged that if there was a large lottery in the Dominion the money would not go s away to foreign lotteries. Ho was not of that opinion, but he believed there was such a great desire to gamble that it was better the Government should control and regulate it to ensure that those who invested in lotteries would have a clean run. The Minister suggested there was a field for work for the deputation to do in carrying on propaganda. If the deputation could create a strong volume of public opinion in favour of their views, he wished them every success. Tremendous pressure came to all public men to countenance schemes in addition to those already allowed. He had had a deputation that day. advocating the opposite of this deputation’s views.