GAMING LAWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22344, 15 February 1936, Page 17

GAMING LAWS

Sir, —The noun "gamble" signifies "a transaction involving uncertaintv," according to one of the latest dictionaries. When dealing with the ethics of gambling some time ago in your correspondence columns it was shown that the term gambling is so comprehensive that it may be applied to marriage and much business of an ethical character. Under the law of Moses the land of Israel was divided by lot and the New Testament Church selected a deacon by lot. A Jewish proverb says: "The lot is cast into the lap: Hut the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord" (Prov., xvi., 33). From this it appears that the sweeping condemnation of gambling by your correspondent Dr. J. J. North and the authorities he quotes is unscriptural and unjust. Honesty demands that we distinguish between forms of gambling which are as honourable as marriage and other forms which are immoral. Those who, like your correspondent, demand recognition of the rights of the individual conscience, must in consistency allow others to practise forms of gambling which agree with their own conscientious convictions. A dictatorial attitude would ill become one who deprecates the ways of Mussolini and Hitler. Your correspondent should distinguish between the Government and the Labour Party. A Labour M.P. represents all parties in his constituency, and in such capacity cannot be subject entirely to the principles of any one party. Nevertheless, the Government will interpret its own principles in its own way. The democratic principle of majority rule is fundamental, and will make the Government endeavour to carry out what is believed to be the will of the majority of citizens in amending the gaming laws. Existing or prospective gaming legislation does not please me any more than it docs many others; hut when the country deserves better laws it will get them Golden Rule.