BENEFIT RACE MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 16

BENEFIT RACE MEETINGS.

Sir, —The motion by Rev. J. J. North carried by the Auckland Council of Christian Congregations criticising the special licences to trotting clubs for meetings for the benefit of the unemployed calls for criticism in retaliation. The resolution says: " inasmuch as special race meetings aro a grievous wrong to the business community "... This statement contradicts the fact that the institutions handling all the profits will utilise them to buy necessary sustenance, such as food, clothing and shelter. The business man in that centre is the gainer, inasmuch as all the proceeds of the meeting pass over his counter. The racing fixtures throughout the year, which run; into hundreds and which aro of no material benefit to anybody except the clubs and officials themselves, are allowed to run their course without any motion of condemnation from ecclesiastic circles. Yet, when a special occasion arises whore all profits are utilised for a very humanitarian cause the project is scathingly condemned. Dr. North also says that these special meetings " mingle charity with vice. . Can anyone seriously say that two, three, or even half a dozen extra race mec-tings a year for this most humane cause v'll have an adverse effect or increase gambling instinct of the sport-loving pcple of this country ? If the unemployed derive £2OOO from this source they have neither 'canvassed for it nor begged for it, nor has it been given to them voluntarily. They reap the benefit of it through other people's enjoyment or overflow of purse. John G. May. Taupo.