ART UNIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3687, 11 November 1924, Page 66

ART UNIONS.

PROTEST FROM DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY. The Rev. Tulloch Yuille (convenor ol the Public Questions Committee) brought up the question of the promotion of art unions at Tuesday’s meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery. He described thp recent art union promoted by the Sports Committee of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition as a gigantic art union. He had, he said, a great admiration for the perfect organisation that existed in connection with the project, but that it was a pity that so much energy should be expended in that direction. The Public Questions Committee brought down the following minute: “That the committee expreses regret that a body, that without doubt has done much to keep sport clean and free from gambling, should have launched a great and insidious gamble that enters our homes and places of business and expresses surprise that the Minister of Internal Affairs should have granted a permit for the lottery. The committee regrets also that the directors of the Exhibition should have lent their countenance by sharing in the proceeds of the lottery even to the extent of whatever portion of the 2s 6d ticket is paid to them for admission of ticket holders to the Exhibition.” He said that art unions in Australia had increased to such an extent that it had been found necessary to restrict them. He was surprised tSat the Minister of Internal Affairs in New Zealand, who, by the way. was one of his (the speaker’s) office-bearers, should have granted permission for the holding of this art union, and he added, “I will tell him so when I see him.” He thought that they as a Presbytery should object to it. They were all tremendously interested in the Exhibition and the Stadium, but he thought they should protest vigorously against this gambling project. He moved the adoption of the committee’s report. The Rev. Dr Merrington seconded the motion. He could not speak for Australia as a whole, but he knew that Mr Yuille’s remarks did not apply to Queensland, where a gigantic art union was held annually. Even the Anglican Archbishop was condemning it as a huge gamble. The holding of this art union in Dunedin was the introduction of the thin edge of the wedge, and it would have the effect of demoralising the community.—(Applause.) The Rev. W. Trotter said he thought it was high time that the people were setting their faces against lotteries. Referring to Australia, he knew that the evil was rampant there, and the churches were protesting against so much money going to Hobart for sweeps. The Presbytery should do nothing to assist this big gambling scheme, but on the other hand it should do all it could to oppose this demoralising tendency. Gambling influences were very pronounced in their business life in the dominion, and it was their duty as a church to speak out strongly. He concluded: “I believe the gambling to-day, as Sir Robert Stout had said, -was a greater evil than that of intemperance.” Tte motion was carried.