STATE LOTTERIES BILL
(To the Editor.)
Sir,—lt could be truly said that many thousands of responsible people in New Zealand are in favour of the Bill for the establishment of State lotteries, to be sponsored by Mr; Black, M.P. I am inclined to believe, too, that the majority of our legislators also- are in favour of State lotteries, but up to the present they have evinced no: interest in such a scheme, due no doubt to the fear of that blatant minority in. this country, the "wowsers." The time has arrived when the sporting people should have a say in this mattei. At present, they are paying many thousands of pounds per annum through the racing clubs, and by way.of the amusement tax. These sporting patrons are overwhelmingly in favour of State lotteries. '
Gambling has for a long, while been legalised by the New Zealand Government. The State coffers benefit very substantially through the totalisator tax, and the art unions have State sanction; so the principle of the tight for the public to gamble is at present recognised by Parliament. No good reason, in the opinion of dozenspf people to whom I have; men* tioned the matter, has yet been brought forward ; against the establishment of State lotteries.;'/■ / > •..■;•• I and' many others would like to Tiear or.anyone who hiais,yet been ruined or actually demoralised by. buying tickets in art unions. Then how on earth could the Government object, to any properly conducted series, of State lotteries", which,, by the way, would, lessen the strain on the overburdened taxpayer? The time is overripe for throwing off the hypocritical mantle some of our legislators choose to wear, . and tackle this matter with sincerity. Many thousands of pounds are lost, annually to this Dominion every year: everybody knows the money is sent abroad for lottery tickets. The New South Wales State lotteries showed a profit of about £281,000 from last August till 31st December. Like many others, I hope our legislators will consider this matter earnestly and support Mr. Black's Bill.—l am etc., . ' *
ANTI-HUMBUa
2nd March.
STATE LOTTERIES BILL
Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 57, 8 March 1932, Page 6
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