GAMBLING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11798, 30 July 1900, Page 8

GAMBLING.

TO THE EDITOR

? IB.''~-I notice the Council of Churches are bringing up the question of investing in mining shares under the subject of gambling. Not being a member, of the council, and not likely to be, I would like to suggest through your columns that if this body desire to do good in the world, they should advocate the withdrawal of all missionaries from countries which do not believe in their form of religion/. This would do away with most of the wars, such as that in China. The moral laws of most religions are as good as another, and forms of religion are a mere matter of padding. Morality and honesty 13 tho primary factor of all, or most religions (some differ as to what is moral) and any particular belief or religion apart trom that is of no importance. Take these principles away and the belief in a' particular hereafter or God is nothing. In regard to gambling, there are several societies to which I have no doubt many' members of the Council of Churches belong (one member I know is solicitor to on©) which go in for gambling in the form of drawings from a bag or box. The lucky drawer obtains a monetary advantage over others, and as the principle of obtaining this advantage is pure luck, and no skill or knowledge can assist in obtaining that advantage it follows that it is a form of investment exactly on a par with hazard. I refer, of course, to the various Starr-Bowkett societies.

How the police allow these societies to have their drawings,is a mystery'to me. Is there an act to allow this form of eamblinsr?—l am, etc., ' ' '

Cvi Bono,