PATRIOTIC GAMBLING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11506, 30 September 1915, Page 8

PATRIOTIC GAMBLING.

I THE "GOLD NUGCET" DELUSION MEMBERS CRITICISE LOTTERY' SPIRIT. (Special to WELLINGTON, September 29. The second reading debate on the Gaming Act Amendment Bill, introduced for the purpose of legalising certain art unions and raffles, the proceeds of which are intended solely for Patriotic Fund purposes, and of restricting and controlling these methods of adding to the funds, was responsible for some very outspoken criticism by members to-night. The Hon G. W. Russell, in moving the second reading of the Bill, pointed out that a large number of influential bodies had appealed for authority to hold art unions for patriotic purposes. The Bill incorporated no new principle, ai the principle of art unions and raffles was already on the Statute Book, and had been freely availed of, in some cases by the churches themselves. Every safeguard against the improper use of art unions and raffles was provided in the Bill.» The Minister went on to express concern at the evidence for some time past of methods of pure gambling which had sprung up in connection with so-called Patriotic Fund movements. He referred t particularly to the so-called art unions of mineral specimens, in which there were no cold nuggets or mineral specimens a>. all, but the supposed value of which was gambled for. He intended that in no case should any raffle take place for any mineral specimen unless the clearest proof could be established that the specimen was actually in existence. No such thing as a raffle for a bar of gold would be allowed unless it were proved to be an actual mineral specimen. If the powers proposed in the Bill were given, large numbers of motor-cars, horses, buggies and other donations of goods, which could not otherwise be turned into money, would be given for patriotic purposes throughout New Zealand. _ He believed, in fact, that with the gifts of patriotic people it would be possible to obtain all the money that was wanted for Patriotic Fund purposes, while large sums of monev would be available to ease the financial strain. Mr Witty said the Bill allowed gambling, and rightly so, for the benefit of Hie soldiers. The people who gave most were the " sports, ' and if the Minister had gone the length of allowing not only land, but anything else, to be sold by auction, it wouM have been welcomed. He thought the Minister could have done all that was necessary under the present law or by stretching it. , , The Minister: There have been no permits for illegal raffles. NO BACKBONE. Mr Hine said he was not straitlaced, but be expected something better from the National Government. The country looked to it for a little baclci hone, but the oould find no evi- ' deuce of backbone in the Bill. To listen to the last speaker, _ one would think thieving' was right if it was for par triotio purposes. The Government should have enough backbone to take the money from tli© taxpayer to put cur soldiers into a strong position. The country," added Mr Hine, is getting tired of this beg, beg. beg. ?»Ir Hornsby looked upon it as an evil commentary that the Government should sugge.it by such a Bill that this was needed to stimulate giving to the great cause of the wounded men. He might be called a "wowser," but he thought the measure was an undeserved reproach to the people _ who were making great sacrifices to give. Mr Poole paid the country ought not to adopt haphazard ways in caring for our foldiers. The gambler and speculator in foodstuffs was held up for condemnation. He knew of no better demonstration of straight-out giving than the Wairarapa, where the thing was organised in a business way. "roi God's sake," he added, "do not let us )o e sight of the fact that by certain • concessions we are paying no compli- ! ment to our mem and interfering with i the moral fibre of the community. | If r "Wilford asked why have any restrictions at all during the war ? I was well known that £70,000 or £BO,OLO went out of N<*w Zealand annually on lotteries. There was too much mock modestv and hvpocrisy over the business. * The Bill would only cause con- ; fusion. . ~ 'Hie Government have been winding jnt breache. of the law, and it our outy ito put them right." declared Mr I WiU'h. who expressed the opinion that right or wrong the people of New Zeaard would '4O 011 h iding raffles. He :• ;i; v i;c-ti'd that a proviso rendering it i i O(Vi i sar v to ih'6 ioi rvniii>> : o» to 'hold a raffle would sareguard (lie public. . iir ('nates approved the Bill, which lie maintained was badly wan tea. Mr Ell said that if the gambling I instinct was allowed unrestricted hb- ! A rty it would cause a serious economic j evil. Wert* the so-called ''wowsers' | solely responsible for legislation stop- | pin:* sweeps in Now Zealand? The 1 >t:n ■.j nan had to take action for the i sa.ke of the community. " Tnere is no conscience in this House about gambling,' 1 said. Mr Isitt, who regarded it as absolutely li ope less lighting what he considered a paltry measure. Mr Malcolm suggested that- it ' enough could not bo got' from voluntary " giving he would take another course. The Government should compel all to contribute. At one o'clock Mr Anstoy was voicing his protest against the measure. To ins mind, it was degrading to the | reputation of a National Government ! to have brought down a. Bill which no parly Government would have dared to toi-x upon the House. Sir J i.iiies Carroll supported the Bill, ho'ding that it was illogical to decry gambling so long a* gamhlijig was mi notified in our 1 .'.-Jar ion. A 1 clause -sh'-iiii '. be put in .he Bill that it | should lie repeakd as soon a.« the w.'ir u, over. The Hon G. \Y. .Russell, in reply, I said thar, it members opposed to the ! Hill y iV' consistent, they should move in coramit i/.v to repeal all the clauses ri the Gaming Act dealing with rallies or art unions, and the totahsator. The 10 were .some members who, when ; :,v question of the gaining law came h.'ioiv the House, put on a robe of spotles-, whiteness and tried to lift thetnselves into a higher plane of morality than anyone and that was what i\:'s happening te-n ght. The motion for the second reading of ! the. Bill was carried by 3i to 11.