FOREIGN LOTTERIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21473, 22 April 1933, Page 15

FOREIGN LOTTERIES

Sir, —Dr. J. J. North's letter in a recent issue shows how very necessary it. is for those who love liberty and freedom of action to see that the control of our Dominion docs not get into the hands of intolerant clerics who wish to, and beg of the Government to allow a noisy minority to rule and drive a freo-born tolerant hugo majority. The voice of the people is tbo Voice of God. 11. G. Huciiks. Greenliithe, April 20, 1933.

Sir, —One must credit Dr. J. J. North with having the spiritual welfare of the community at heart, but, with all due respect to him, I, for one, find his manner of correction most high-handed. In antagonising the sporting community, Dr. North merely defeats his own purpose. Tlio thousands who will question his summing up of "silly lotteries" comprise fellow-citizens of quite average intelligence, who still fail to see the evil in their attempt to better their financial position at the risk of a small outlay. Although not a gambler in tho sense the word is generally used, I hope I am as tolerant of tho sport indulged in by others as I am of tho street preacher, who feels tho entire world is interested in his conversion. To speak of the "taint of illegality" in connection with the recent donations to tho hospitals is as narrow as it is thankless. Might one ask Dr. North if he were offered, from tho proceeds of a lottery, tho sum of £350 to use for charitable purposes, would ho refuse it? If so, by what right? Would prejudice be sufficient excuse for depriving the needy of a few material comforts? This Mussolini touch is most objectionable. To those who feel that lotteries are degrading, non-participation is their best plan. It is absolutely impossible for tho Government "to kill this foreign lottery trade if it wanted to"; their addresses are continually changed, and .when a letter is addressed to a private individual the contents are also to be treated as private. Badly in need of funds, I do not think the Hospital Board will worry about the origin of the donation, and, if refused, those responsible would merit tho disapproval which their action evoked from tho lessprejudiced community. .Epsom. J. Johnstone.