GOLDEN CASKET

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 November 1928, Page 4

GOLDEN CASKET

QUEENSLAND HOSPITALS. SYDNEY, November 1. One can easily imagine a countless number of New Zealanders holding up their hands in horror at the very thought of a State lottery, whether it be field for the benefit of the hospitals or any other charitable object. Should any party be bold enough to propose such a lottery, it will be able to quote the experience of Queensland, which State has raised enormous sums for very worthy causes. “Queensland’s prosperity does not seem to have suffered as a result, nor are the people any worse, morally, than those of New Zealand, or of New South Wales, or of Victoria. The only difference, in fact, is that the money which Queenslanders can spare for a little ■ gamble is retained within the Stae, whereas Ihe others send their money to Tasmania, for the benefit of a proprietary concern. It is estimated that thousands of New Zealanders invest in tickets in the Tasmanian concern, and judging by the prize lists, New Zealanders are very successful. It is stated that at least three prizes of £5OOO each have gone to the Dominion this year.

The Queensland Government argues that the people will patronise lotteries despite any legal difficulties which may be put in their way, and that it is well to realise this human failing, and turn it to definite value. It therefore provided that the profits of the State lottery should go to the motherhood, child welfare and hospital funds, which, since July, 1920, have received £1,558,068. Payments made to hospitals have amounted to £1,281,576, and to the Bush Nursing Association £4616, while grants of £3750 have been

made to charitable institutions, and a sum of £232,041 provided for the erection and equipment of baby clinics, maternity wards, and nurses’ quarters, and of £4776 for the erection of creche and kindergarten buildings. . Last year* thirty-three caskets were held, which was the largest number held in any one year. The prize money amounted to £528,000. and the revenue derived from the sale of tickets was £866,250. An amount of £41,250 was paid in State income tax, wages and salaries involved £27,547, and agents’ commission £8330. The profit was paid to the Home Secretary’s Department for the twelve months was £247,764, leaving a balance on hand of £2954. The prize money unclaimed, which was paid into a trust account was £3069. Some idea of what the casket means to the State may be gathered from the fact that there is an accumulated fund of £61.346, which has been earmarked for the erection of maternity wards at like various hospitals. The expenditure of this large sum will be commenced this year.