OPUNAKE TIMES Speaks for the District. TUESDAY, JAN. 30, 1934 ART UNION ALLOCATIONS

Opunake Times, 30 January 1934, Page 2

OPUNAKE TIMES Speaks for the District. TUESDAY, JAN. 30, 1934 ART UNION ALLOCATIONS

♦— _ Month by month the Government's position in regard to the sweeps which are miscalled iti't unions becomes more untenable. The continuous issue ot permits is contrary to the spirit of the law, and on that ground alone is to be condemned, says the “New Zealand Herald."

The only shadow of justification that could be advanced was that the proceeds were to he devoted to specific humanitarian purposes, although there is a large body of people who realise that it is an ex. pensive way of raising funds and a temptation to thousands who have no half-crowns to spare to buy a ticket at odds which do not appeal to the gambler. It might be a revelation if it could be known how many people receiving aid from the State or charitable institutions participate in each sweep. However, there is no longer a pretence that the bulk of the profits, which for obvious reasons are dwindling, are ap. plied to t.he purpose of social relief. In the last few allocations more and more of the money has been distributed, to institutions which 1 iave no claim whatever upon the general public. Tire list in. eludes a jockey club which suffered earthquake loss andhtdarge number of grants are made to agricultural and pastoral associations, hall commi(tees and Ihe like, to enable them to liquidate overdrafts. In maiiv cases there is a condition that a certain sum must be raised locally, nut these provisoes, oven if they do tend to create employment, can be regarded only as a hit of window dressing by Air Young and his committee. The integrity of those who allocate the money is not questioned, but it ought to be clear to them, and to the Government which is finally responsible for the system, that as every request tor ;iid cannot he met the inevitable result will be criticism and damaging inferences. The longer this ‘‘industry" is allowed to continue the more difficult will it he to end it, for no doubt applicants for grants with just as strong a case as those which have been satisfied have long ag’o put in their claims. All (his. under political control, makes for permanence. A\ itb the law as it stands the whole thing is utterly at variance from British tradition.