THE GAMBLING EVIL

Te Aroha News, Volume XLI, Issue 6439, 17 January 1924, Page 4

THE GAMBLING EVIL

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—ln reading “Joy Bells’ ” effusion on the above subject, it did not read true to my mind. Rather it reminded me of Nero fiddling while Rome burned. lam neither a churchman nor a “kill-joy.” lam nevertheless convinced that only the jackal or jungle nature can obtain joy from fleecing ones neighbour. There never has been, and never will be, a great man who could advocate gambling as a means of increasing the sum of human happiness. Men of good-will everywhere should unite in doing their utmost to eradicate these growing evils, while civic bodies should insist on diligence on the part of police officers in stamping out these dens where young lads often take the first step on the downward track. The citizens of Te Aroha should long ago have established young people’s clubs - of various kinds, and their failure to provide rational and helpful pastimes is, no doubt in part, responsible for the drift into vicious circles. I can hear the crackling of the dry bones of Christianity. “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Well, you should be, or else label yourself “whited sepulchre.” “A new commandment I give unto you—that ye love one another.” If you love the boys and girls you will try to bring them up healthy, happy, useful citizens, will never crave the atmosphere of the gambler’s or drunkard’s dens, which after all is only a false and mistaken way of seeking a fuller life.—l am, etc., A BROTHER.