THE SOVIET UNION AND GAMBLING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24950, 24 June 1942, Page 6

THE SOVIET UNION AND GAMBLING

Sir, —Your correspondent " M " seems annoyed at the truthful statements of Dr Salmond in reference to the lack of gambling in the Soviet Union. It is this lack of appreciation of high ideals achieved that keeps us in the same old rut of physical and moral mediocrity.. May I point out to "M" that the drinking bar is also a thing of the past in ,the Soviet Union., although it is true that one can step inside, sit down and be served decently with liquor. The remarkable scarcity of crime in the Soviet Union is undoubtedly largely due to the sober habits of the Soviet people. Incidentally, the number of persons infected with venereal disease in Russia in 1937 was 97 per cent, less than in 1913. The Soviet citizen is a clean, industrious sort of person working towards Communism, the abolition of all war, and the brotherhood of man. God must be happy in the thought that there exists one country that prefers the good deed rather than lip service in the establishment of His kingdom on earth.—l am, etc., Advance. Oamaru, June 22. Sir,—When you come to think of it there is little virtue in the Russian being a non-gambler. In a country where the possession of private property is disallowed and nobody is supposed to be better off than his neighbour, v/hat would be the sense of having raffles such as we have? —I am. etc., M. June 23, 1942.