ART UNIONS CONDEMNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20990, 29 September 1931, Page 11

ART UNIONS CONDEMNED

ATTACK BY CLERGYMAN.

APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT.

COMPLETE CESSATION URGED

An appeal to the Government to check the spread of gambling in the form of art unions and lotteries was made in a resolution passed :at the annual meeting of the Auckland Council of Christian Congregations last evening. "The growth of the art union movement and the sinister suggestion of lotteries can be viewed only with tho gravest concern," said the Rev. W. Lawson Marsh. "There is no doubt of their popularity, and wo must fight more strongly against them than at any time before."

Mi-. Marsh directed his attack particularly against the Cancer Fund Art Union. He said it was sponsored by an eminent member of the medical profession in each of the four chief centres. So worthy an object, backed bjP such influential personages, would be sufficient excuse for many to turn a blind eye to the method of finance. Had it come to the point when public support for any object, no matter how worthy, could bo relied upon no longer without holding out a bait to subscribers ?

Mr. Marsh said the view of the medical profession in England was in direct contrast with the action of the New Zealand committee governing the art union. Iho British Medical Council and tho British Hospital Association had roundly denounced and repudiated art union methods, believing that they were unworthy of the splendid traditions of medical work, and that they were essentially bad business. Eminent authorities had denounced such methods, and the British House of Commons had reaffirmed its former decision to prohibit all such wasteful and disastrous means of financing medical work in Britain.

"Such testimony can be ignored only by people who are blind to every consideration but 'raising tho wind,' " said Mr. Marsh. "Art unions and lotteries are bad for the-objects to which they are devoted, as it is the universal experience that regular sources of income are depleted, and tho immediate gain is offset by a permanent reduction of voluntary subscribers."

"Tho Cancer Fund is worth supporting for its own sake without appealing to the despicable motive of making something for oneself," concluded Mr. Marsh. What a caricature of British traditions to seek to cure a physical evil by propagating moral disease!"

Tho following resolution was passed: — "That the council draws the attention of the Government to the recent demand ot the Auckland Chamber of Commerce for a complete cessation of art unions, and to tho unanimity of condemnation by authorities in England", and earnestly appeals to the Government to make a firm stand against all further facilities for gambling."