ART UNION PERMITS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11948, 6 March 1917, Page 2

ART UNION PERMITS.

MINISTER'S REPLY TO CRITICS

[Pre Pares Association,] WELLINGTON, March 5

The Hon G. W. Russell, in an niterview to-datf, said, " I notice that; recently there have been .some criticisms of the Government with regard to the issue of permits for raffles and art unions for patriotic purposes. It may be pointed out that under the Gaming Act raffles and art unions of works ot art. pictures, etc., belonging to or exhibited at art exhibitions, always have been allowed. In 1915, when the National Government was formed, there was practically a gambling mama throughout New Zealand. The papers were lull of art union advertisements, and the whole thing had gone beyond bounds. Legislation was, thereforo. brought down allowing the Minister of Internal Affairs to issue permits for art unions for patriotic purposes, under severe restrictions. It was provided that any prize that was to be art unioned must be absolutely a gift, and the law has been strictly administered on the following lines:-—(1) Tn no case have art union tickets been allowed to be sold under permits outside the provincial district i" which the art union originated, and (2) the same rule has applied to advertising. As a result the whole matter has been brought under direct control, and the evils which attached to art unions for patriotic purposes have heen practically abolished."