Lutheran Fellowship Meeting Discusses Off-Course Betting

Wanganui Chronicle, 28 October 1948, Page 2

Lutheran Fellowship Meeting Discusses Off-Course Betting

: MARTON, Oct 27 (OC).—The topic, i “The Christian voter and the oft- ' the-course betting Referendum,” developed an animated discussion with dashes of humour thrown in, at the monthly Marton Lutheran Fellowship meeting held on Sunday evening, it was dscussed from two angles,—the moral and the political implications. Betting was delined as “the mutual agreement or transaction between . two or more persons to exchange : money or goods on the basis of a ceri tain event transpiring, such as the ' winning of a particular horse in a race, without giving a just equivalent or value for the money or goods exchanged.” It was asserted that betting, as all forms of gambling, was morally wrong and not permissable for a Christian stewardship, both in respect to the acquiring of money and in the use of money; that it was a transgression of the commandment, ‘Thou shalt not steal,” taking money from another without adequate return and misappropriating money that should be devoted to the support of the Churcn and other socially beneficial causes; that it was furthermore a transgression of the Commandment, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house,” etc., since the real underlying motive was covetousness. It was held that there was no difference in principle between betting on the races and taking a sixpenny ticket in a raffle. That a raffie was ostensibly for a good purpose did not justify it, but ratner made it the more objectionable. It was also held that gambling in all its forms gave rise to many social and economic evils —stealing, embezzling, ba.**. uptcies, destitution, fraudulent practices, loss of valuable and necessary production, inefficiency in industry and was possibly a strong contributing cause of industrial unrest. It corrupted sports and exerted a depraving and demoralising influence upon the community and individuals, encouraging crime, thriftiessness and distracted attention from useful interests and pursuits. In discussing the political aspects, the following points were made during the debate: The Government did not legislate for Christians only, but also for non-Christians, wuO were in the majority. Gambling was an ingrained vice that was impossible to eradicate by legislation. Legislation that could not be enforced, encouraged law-breaking and contempt of the law. In such cases it was thought a sound political policy might be to suffer the evil and endeavour to exercise the greatest measure of control possible, to minimise what could not be eradicated. The question at issue was not so much a moral as a political one. “Will the legalising of off-the-course betting facilities under government control be to the better interest ol the community than the present illegal off-the-course betting facilities provided by the bookmakers?” was a question asked. The Christian voter, it was stressed., must decide for himself according to his convictions and judgment based on facts available to him and cast his vote accordingly. The Christian disapproved of all gambling facilities but in the case at issue, would cast his vote for what he believed the lesser evil. The Government’s silence on the precise form of off-the-course betting to be legalised made it the more difficult for the voter to formulate an intelligent judgment on the issue. It was emphasised that the legalising of off-the-course betting, even with his connivance as a voter, did not make it lawful for the Christian. The discussion was carried on in groups. RANGITIKEI HAS ENTERED CHALLENGE FOR HAWKE CLP. A decision to enter a challenge for the Hawke Cup this season was made bv the management committee or the Rangitikei Cricket Association at its monthly meeting on Tuesday night. The New Zealand Cricket Council advised that for the coming season the Hawke Cup would be run on the district challenge system, instead of tne group system. The president, Mr. N. V. Rix-Trott was in the chair and also present were Messrs. C. L. Wood (Hunterville), C. Fittler (Suburbs), R. Ferguson (Ohakea), V. Simcox (Old Boys), A. B. Marshall (Porewa), M. M. Marshall (vice-president) and R. Parkinson (secretary). It was decided to approach the Taihape sub-association for a two-day match between North and South Rangitikei at Marton on November 2< and December 4. with a return match to be played in Taihape later . n the season. The first game is to he a trial match to assist the selectors in selecting the Rangitikei teams for the important engagements ahead, it was agreed to proceed with the club fixtures as usual on November 27 and December 4, but to alter the venue of the Ohakea-Porewa match from Marton to Ohakea. The Hutt District Cricket Club wrote requesting a two-day fixture against Rangitikei at Marlon on Monday and Tuesday, December 26 and 27. The club under the captaincy of Mr. Frank Holz is undertaking a tour during the Christmas and New Tear holidays. It was decided to accept the match offered. The association decided to purchase the Hunterville Cricket Club’s matting wicket to be used on the practice wicket at Marton. The president reported that Mr. R. de R. Worker who at the last meeting had been appointed chairman of the selection committee, had advised that he would be unable to accept the position. The meeting decided to elect Mr L. J. Thompson (.Hunterville) to fill the vacancy. PERSONAL Mr. and Mrs. R. Arndt have returned to their home in Hunia Street, Marton, Marton, after an enjoyable tour through Australia visiting relations. Corporal L. Richards is spending his ' leave from J-Force with his mother, ' Mrs. I. K. Richards, Robert Street, Marton.