STATE LOTTERIES.

Mataura Ensign, 29 December 1911, Page 3

STATE LOTTERIES.

GAMBLING HARMFUL? MINISTERS AT VARIANCE. Further consideration was given by the New South Wales Legislative Assembly to the motion of Mr Osborne—"That, in the opinion of this House, the question of establishing a State lottery, on somewhat similar lines to tnat now conducted by 'TattersaHV in Tasmania, should be submitted to the electors of this State in the shape of a referendum on next general election diay." Mr McGowen (Premier) said ho would oppose tho motion on the same ground as lie had opposed the totalisator. As a Parliament they should so legislate that if temptation came before the people it should be removed. They were asked to establish lotteries because another State had run Tattersall's. The circumstances, however, were different. I'here was no comparison between the states of New South Wales and Tasmania. It must not bo forgotten that Tasmania was impecunious, having received no benefit from the Federal Lnion, and was necessarily compelled to resort to other sources of revenue. The same necessity did not exist for the other State Treasurers to resort to such a proceeding. Ho would' hesitate to take up such a system. Was it a .'j;oo(l principle to inculcate into the minds of the people the idea of getting rich at the expense of others? If the people desired the institution of a State lottery, they were sending members to Parliament with the express idea of securing it. He considered they did not want it, and were opposed to its institution. Mr Perry was of the opinion that the matter should be referred to the people. If they were against that form of gambling, let them take up that attitude. Tho action of the Government in regard to Tattersall's was, in his opinion, unconstitutional. It was most unfair that a man in Tasmania could purchase a ticket, whilst in the other States it was an offence. The various States should' be placed on an equal footing. He looked upon this form of gambling as being as harmless as StarrBo wkett societies. He considered that Tattersall's sweeps were run on very fair lines. There was absolutely no possibility of fraud, so far as he could see. He had been successful in winning prizes in "Tatt's,'' and would continue to buy tickets. Mr Griffith (Minister for Works) said he saw nothing against gambling so long as i twas carried on under wholesome and 1 healthy conditions. It was for the people to say whether they wanted to gamble or not. Under good conditions he could not see how gambling could be considered any more immoral than life insurance. He knew of no text in the Bible which discountenanced gambling. The people should l>e allowed' to speak for themselves. The debate was further adjourned.