CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23689, 22 December 1938, Page 7

CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS

ATTITUDE TO STATE LOTTERIES The Dunedin Council of Christian Congregations states that it views with a great deal of concern the suggestions being made that the State should conduct official lotteries, and the following resolution was adopted at a recent meeting:—" That the Dunedin Council of Christian Congregations views with much concern the rumoured intention of the Government to establish State lotteries. It considers that any further encouragement of the gambling spirit in the youth of the nation, especially if related to such schemes as that of national health and recreation, would be detrimental to our national and moral welfare."

Many people to-day felt very strongly on the matter, it was stated, believing that in countries where similar nroposals had been adopted this method had not been found an economical way of raising money, on account of the high running expenses. The desire for gain had had an unsatisfactory effect upon the generosity of the public in giving financial support to worthy objects. A great body of Christian people believed that gambling had always been found harmful to the moral fibre of an individual or a nation, and that the Government ought never to take any action to sponsor promote, or facilitate it.