ART UNIONS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 221, 15 April 1933, Page 2

ART UNIONS

Churches' Objection deputateoSTto MINISTER Press Association.— Copyright. Auckland, April 14.-Strong protests at the granting of per'riiits to hold lotteries was made yester- ! " day to the Hon. J. A. Young by a depuI tation of citizens, including Archbishop i ' Averill and Dr. J. J. North (president of the Council of Christian Congregations). Replying, the Minister said he was glad -'to hear an expression of views on an important matter of great social interest |■."• to the community. While the deputation | represented a volume of public opinion i he said that what had been impressing !! him greatly was the tremendous following of public opinion that was out to get the opportunity to participate in art unions. During the last week of the . session he had an average of eight ap- [ ■"' plications for art unions daily, repref senting different interests. That went on • all the time, so they could see how wide- \ spread was the desire to hold art unions. Regarding depots for selling tickets on the mam streets, said the Minister, that was largely a matter for regulation by % the municipal, authorities and not by the Goverahient. There was a wide feeling that the -comni unity wanted to gamble and would gamble. It had been urged that if there .was a large lottery in the II Dominion.%he money would not go away to foreign lotteries. He was not of that ! opinion, but-" he believed there was such a great desire to gamble that it was better that the Government should control and regulate it to ensure that those §. who invested in lotteries would have a 1 clean run. : The Minispr suggested there was a P;l field for Vfjprk, for the deputation to do in carrying on-propaganda. If the de- < nutation 'could create a strong volume of public opinion in favour of its views he wished the members every success. Tremendous pressure came to all public men 10 countenance schemes in addition to those already allowed. He had had a deputation that day advocating the opposite of this deputation's views.