ART UNIONS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 51, 28 August 1925, Page 8

ART UNIONS

MINISTER CONGRATULATED

ON IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS BY PRESBYTERIAN DEPUTATION. Congratulations to the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. B. F. Bollard). on his decision to restrict the volume of ait unions were convtyed to him this morning by a deputation representing tha Public ( Cjucstions Committee of the Presbyterian General Assembly.. "We have noticed the extraordinary development," said the Rev. Dr. J. Gibb, "of art unions in Christchurch and Dunedin, and it is quite clear that a check should be put on the whole thing. We appreciate greatly the deliberate stand you took the other day with regard to the. centrd'of art unions. As an appreciation of your action the. 'Public Questions Committee of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church put on record a resolution against the portentious outburst of gambling under the name of art unionß which is now disgracing the country."The resolution said that the^ committee was encouraged by the Minister's pronouncement to hope that an end would be put to this, probably the^most insidious of all forms which gambling assumed, inasmuch as many persons who would have nothing to do with gambling on the racecourse were led astray by it tq their personal injury, and the harm of the commonwealth. "A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME . . ."- "We were particularly gratified by your action," continued Dr. Gibb, "and wo want to emphasise that by this insidious form of art union betting many people who shrink from going to the racecourse, bet on art unions because it seems to he so decorous and respectable." Dr. Gibb said thai, he knew many peupie were seduced into art uilions bct-uuso it had been said that art unions were' not"gambling. He could quote tho old .adage, "A rose by^ any other name would smell as sweet."

Mr. T. C. Brash said that the country was actually being flooded with art union tickets and that they were coming to Wellington from all parts of the Dominion. He himself had received four.

Mr. Bollard : "Did you only get four!" Mr. Brash: "Yes." . PROFESSIONAL SALESWOMAN Mr. Bollard; "Well, you ought to see what I get." (Laughter.) Mr. Brash went on to say that one lady in Wellington made a profession of selling art union tickets, and they could only presume that ghe was getting a remuneration for her services. The sale of art union tickets had become an unmitigated nuisance in city offices. He said that Mr. Bollard and other" Ministers had' been sounding a warning not? oirfmaiieial questions. There was a growing tendency on the part of young people to make a living easily, and they wero . tempted into buying these art union tickets in the hope of winning a large sum of money. This was not lioing anything for the improvement of the young people,. MINISTER DETERMINED In reply, Mr, Bollard said that it was refreshing to receive • deputation congratulating him on what lie had done. More often he got kicks instead of congratulations. He had soe-i how the art unions were growing to such an alarming extent, and he thought he would have to do something. His attention had been drawn to one art union in the South Island, where tho prizes amounted to many thousands of pounds, and on inquiry found that people were living on it. He found that the best thing he could do was tv put his foot down and say that there should be no art union held of a greater value than £500. The original idea of the art union was to help small sports clubs which were in financial difficulties. A man he knew got a permit to hold an art union for the benefit of a man who was dying of cancer at Island Bay. "As a matter of fact," said Mr. Bollard, "the man died, and before he died he got £74, but the man who was acting as secretary has disappeared, and we are looking for him. He got away with' a considerable sum of money and the model of a ship which was' being raffled." Gambling was increasing, and I hey must (jive some small outlet to those who wished to have a flutter. He would like to wipe out the bookmakers altogether. I)V. Clibb : "And the totalisa'tor also, I hope." air.-Bollard said that he thought Parliament would not agree to that, but he smilingly remarked that the day might- come when the totalisator would be wiped out. Gambling was a growiiig evil, and was.attaining such proportions that hfc action had been necessary. He said that if he found that the £500 limit was being abused he would cut it down to £250.