THE GAMBLING EVIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14169, 18 September 1906, Page 8

THE GAMBLING EVIL.

[Per Press Association'.] AUCKLAND, September 17, Tho gambling evil was referred to in several churches yesterday. Speaking at a large meeting of men in His Majesty’s Theatre, Pastor Clark said ho regretted that gambling was attacking all games. Society was being totally poisoned and the gambling evil destroyed affection, disposed to idleness and led to other vices, such as drunkenness and at times to suicide. Tho late Hon Thomas Dick said in a meeting at which he (the Speaker) was present at Dunedin how deeply ho regretted tho day the totalisator was legalised, and wished ho could recall the evil done Last evening, at the Grafton Road Methodist Church,.the Rev G. W. J. Spence, in dealing with the subject, ■ said that many of the churches had long pretested against the gambling evil, and. now that judges, politicians, newspaper editors and others who exercised an influence on public opinion were speaking out very distinctly in condemnation of gambling, especially as it existed in its legalised form in this colony, they might dare to hope that a measure of reform was not very far off. At tho conclusion of the sermon the following resolution was adopted—“ This congregation, recognising the great and growing evil of betting and gambling in this colony, particularly in connection with horse-racing, and being convinced that these evils are fostered bv that form of gambling which at present is legalised bv toe ®+!*t© 1 desires to convey to Mr Ell. M.H.R., its cordial thanks for his efforts in his place in Parliament to secure the repeal of the Act which is such a blot upon tbe sta+nte book, and although his measure failed this session by a small majority to pass its second rending, hones he will continue to urge this ouestion noon the House of Renresentatives until the repeal is effected of the law which legalises the totalisator.”