CHURCH CONTROVERSY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25737, 8 January 1945, Page 2

CHURCH CONTROVERSY

GAME OF HOUSIE-HOUSIE

THOUSANDS FOR CHARITIES Although the game of chance housiehousie is estimated to have raised thousands of pounds for charity in Sydney, it is frowned on by most churches. The Rev. C. A. White, convener of the Presbyterian “Life and Work” Committee, said in an interview: “ We will accept no money that comes from gambling. All forms of gambling are forbidden by the Presbyterian Church. We know there arc some instances where the law is not carried out. but they are few.” The Rev. F. H. Rayward. president of the Central Methodist Mission, said: “We are against gambling. Gambling is a curse to-day in this State. We will have no truck with it.” The Church of England is also opnosed to gambling. A Roman Catholic, however, stated: “AVe recognise that people go to the races and have their bets. If they want to bet on housie-housie for charity, we will accept the proceeds. We recognise" that you cannot stop gambling, and we do‘feel that a shot in the dark for charity is not a major sin.” In Brisbane some years ago a paper called the Protestant Clarion described places where housie-housie was played as "Bingo hells.” (Bingo is the name of the game in Queensland.)