OFF-COURSE BETTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27028, 12 March 1949, Page 8

OFF-COURSE BETTING

Sir, —I read with some disgust the letter on gambling by our esteemed friend, Commander Goffin. He states that he regards the gambling as being contrary to the mind of Christ. If this is his belief, and that of his congregation, why is it that members of the Salvation Army stand at the gates of the local racecourses and hold out boxes for offerings? Surely it is the man that has a “ win ” that contributes, not the loser, and if the donation is not from the profits of gambling, what is it? As for being opposed to the proposals of the Racing and Trotting Conferences, I think this is the best thing that ever happened. An investor is not breaking the law and can “ pick his winner ” without helping the old law-breaker, the bookie.” Commander Goffin should clear himself up and remember what Bernard Shaw once said: "Who are we against so many? ” —I am, etc., One Each Way.

{When this letter was referred to him. Major H. Goffin, divisional commander for the Salvation Army in Otago and Southland. said: “ Monev itself has no moral significance. It is the use to which it is put that counts. When attacked by those who objected to the Salvation Army collecting money in this way our founder, General Booth, once said, ‘ The Salvation Army is able to wash this money in the tears of widows and orphans and make it clean if cleaning it needs.’ People pay for the dustman to take away their rubbish. The Salvation Army very often has to act as a kind of spiritual dustman and sees no reason why people should not help to pay for this work to be done.”— Ed. ODT.]