GAMBLING COMPARISONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 89, 17 April 1939, Page 8

GAMBLING COMPARISONS

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —As a staunch Australian, and in fairness to my fellow-countrymen, I feel I cannot leave unchallenged the statements made by the Rev. J. S. Pate, to the effect that the- character of the Australian people has been undermined by Sunday sport and gambling. My challenge is prompted, not so much because I think New Zealanders would believe for one minute that our people had fallen to such a low level as the Rev. Mr. Pate would have them believe, but because I strongly object to people who live in glass houses throwing stones, and also because, having lived for .a comparatively short period in a v4ry small part of Australia, they think that they are in a position to speak with authority on our social conditions and the character of our people. Might I suggest to Mn Pate that comparisons of the nature he has drawn are odious, and that he has plenty to do in putting his own house in order before even attempting to suggest to the Australian people how they might raise their social standards. I do not purport to defend in any way gambling or other social evils in Australia, but such sweeping statements as made by Mr. Pate convey a completely erroneous idea of social conditions in our country, and although we admit our shortcomings we also submit that the average Axistralian today is bigger hearted, better living, healthier in mind and body, and definitely progressed in the things that matter beyond the standard of previous generations.—l am, etc.,

AUSSYITE,

(To the Editor.) Sir, —After reading the Rev. J. S. Pate's criticism of Australians, one is forced to wonder if such criticism is made in a true spirit. Naturally, the ability to get away on Sundays to beaches and the hundreds of other pleasure resorts with which Australia, and particularly New South Wales, abounds, is fully availed of, and who is to say it is an offence to do so? Having a swim or a game of tennis is not an offence to God. Mr. Pate says that Australians are gamblers; that is admitted by all Australians, but it is done openly, and money is not passed covertly as in New Zealand. Mr. Pate will find, if he cares to seek, there are people here who buy tickets in every i New Zealand lottery and the New |

South. Wales lottery, too. Also, if he will get down to figures he will find that New Zealand is a close runnerup to Australia in the matter of gambling. As one who has been in close contact with school children, I have never seen or heard of gambling, in the schools, though I suppose it happens sometimes, but Mr. Pates statement would imply that it is common and extensively practised. Mr. Pate could well apply himself to a bit of practical Christianity and try to cut down the drunkenness and sexual offences which are so prevalent j in this country, for statistics show, that New Zealand heads the list for the latter, and as for drunkenness, I have seen more drunkards in the past eighteen months than I have in 36 years m [Australia. —I am, etc., AUSTRALIAN. [We have received a number of other letters on the same subject.— Ed.3