STATE LOTTERY OPPOSED

Southland Times, Issue 23773, 22 March 1939, Page 4

STATE LOTTERY OPPOSED

AUCKLAND CHURCHES ISSUE STATEMENT MR SAVAGE’S DECLARATION APPROVED (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 21. Opposition to the current proposal for a State lottery is expressed in a memorandum which has been drawn up by representatives of . the Auckland churches. The statement is signed by Archbishop Averill, the Rev. G A. D. Spence, moderator of the Auckland Presbytery, the Rev. F. Copland, chairman of the Auckland district of the Methodist Church, the ■ Rev. Dr J. J. North, principal of the Baptist College, Pastor W. E. Vickery, president of the Churches of Christ District Association, Brigadier Suter, divisional commander of the Salvation Army, and Pastor W. Campbell, of the West street Church of Christ connection.

“In view of the petition which is at present being circulated requesting the Government to grant permission for a State lottery,” states the memorandum, “we, the representatives of the Christian churches, desire to express hearty approval of the Prime Minister’s reiterated declaration that the Government has no intention of providing increased facilities for gambling. “We also share his anticipation that an attempt to introduce a State lottery would split his party and provoke determined opposition in the community, leading to the development of the very factions and strife which the Prime Minister deprecates.”