MENAGE OF GAMBLING AND FILMS

Stratford Evening Post, Volume III, Issue 198, 10 November 1934, Page 6

MENAGE OF GAMBLING AND FILMS

PRESBYTERIAN VIEWPOINT GOVERNMENT NOT ALIVE TO DANGER Press Association—Co»yri£ht Dtliiediii, November 9. The public questions committee report presented to the Presbyterian Assembly to-day by the Rev. F. H. Wilkinson expressed regret that' the Government was not alive to the menace of gambling and films. A committee was working at Wellington and efforts were being made to support a better class of film.

"The matter of freedom of speech is one to be safeguarded vigilantly," added the report. "To prevent it is to turn the spirit of change into a spirit of revolt. It is dangerous to prevent those with grievances from uttering them. New ways of looking, at major problems are necessary to progress." The Rev.-D. Ml Martin spoke of a petition in process of signature asking for fuller rights for discussion of matters over the radio. A North Auckland speaker mentioned the restrictions on civil 1 servants. It'was agreed to urge presbyteries to safeguard the rights of freedom of speech. The Rev. J. R. Blanchard moved unswerving 1 opposition to any proposal calculated'to spread arid intensify the gambling spirit and exhorted all members to cultivate the Ghristiah principle of the stewardship of money that the spirit of gambling may pass from the hearts of men.

The Rev. J. D. Smith spoke of the publication of the winning of huge sums in overseas lotteries and held that this was illegal. He spoke also of bookmakers using the telegraph, probably by means of a code. \Vhy was it not stopped by the Government?