ART UNION PRIZES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 February 1926, Page 8

ART UNION PRIZES.

GOLD NUGGETS LAWFUL

MINISTER REPLIES TO OBJECTIONS.

(BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION. 1 WILLING TON, Feb. 20. The Hon. R. F. Bollard (Minister of Internal Affairs) referred yesterday to a recent resolution, moved by the Rev J. J. North at a Chrigtchurch Council of. Christian Congregations meeting, urging the Government to secure legal opinion on the relation of the term “art” to gold nuggets in connection with art unions, which the council de_ dared (on the authority of various megisterial decisions) were barely distinguishable from illegal lotteries. Mr Boilard said Mr North could not have read Section 42 of the Gaming Act. 1.908, for gold nuggets clearly came within the scope of that clause.

The section of the Act referred to reads: “(1) If any person being the owner of any painting, drawing, sculpture, or other work of art, or literature, or mineral specimens, or mechanical models, applies to the Minister of Internal Affairs for permission to dispose of the same by raffle or chance, the said Minister may, if lie thinks fit, grant a license for that purpose, subject to such conditions and restrictions as lie thinks right to impose. (2) If such conditions and restrictions are complied with, the provisions of this Act, or any other law for the time being in force relating to gaming and lotteries, shall not apply to such owner or to any other persons who may be bona fide concerned in such transaction.