CHURCH RAFFLES.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 99, 8 December 1928, Page 4

CHURCH RAFFLES.

TO THE EDITOR Sir. —I find that the attitude .of the Methodist Church of New Zealand toward raffles and other forms of gambling is at present arousing’ considerable interest. May I take. this opportunity to 'itcknowleUg© with thanks the receipt of a very handsome donation towards the funds of the Midhirst Ladies’ Guild from an anonymous cjonor, vylto wishes to express bis admiration for a Church which is jpefpared to sacrifice monetary gain rather- than prinand agrees with me that no Church loses in the long run by so doing. Tli© Presbyterian and Methodist Church also refuse , to accept large sums which are available from the McCarthy Trust in Wellington, which derives its gains from (a brewery concern. When our Churdhes are reduced to accepting money derived from the fostering of tbe twin evils of drinking and gambling, it is time for them (the Churches) to close doors and go out of business. The so called “sport” of racing has come to such a pass, that it qm only carry on by providing facilities loipeople to indulge in tiie vice of, gambling with tno Hope lor gaining money without earning it and by the ik>ssi that others suffer. )Tne pffiato gives this a cloak of respectability, /andi derives revenue from, the foiiies and vices of the racing patrons. But that only, makes it the more necessary that the Church should havei a higher standard, and keep its hands clean. It is so easy to. test and distinguish between a gamble and a legitimate business transaction. Gambling (or betting) involves two things’.—“Gain without merit” and) “Gain at another’s loss”. iFor the life of me. 1 cannot - understand how a real man can derive satisfaction from such a transaction. When magistrates deal with those who appropriate whit they liavo not earned, and have come into possession cf because of another’s lewis they give the transaction another name, which your leaders can easily supply < I feci strongly in this matter; . but I am too well known “in the sporting and athletic fields of New Zealand to, be classed a s a. “kill-sport”. I am etc., H. L. BLA3HRES., , Stratford. December 7, 192S'.