DAY BY DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16816, 7 June 1926, Page 4

DAY BY DAY.

Whatever may be thought of the lot-

Condemnatlon of Lotteries

tcry as a means of raising funds for charities, sports and similar objects,

there can ho no doubt that the extension of the method to the collection of money for public works is wholly against reason. Mr Coates is right in condemning the lottery spirit—the attempt to induce somebody else to pay; hut there is a further strong objection to the use of the system for public revenue purpose. " The lottery is a most expensive way of raising money. Costs frequently amount lo 25 or 30 per cent., and they have been 50 per cent and more. What would lie said if rale or tax collecting absorbed this proportion of the revenue. If the works are worth doing let the cost lie collected as it should he, from ratepayers if the work is of local importance only, and from Hie taxpayers if there is a claim on Hie national funds. We have stated previously that Hie art union business needed a "check. Few of the art unions, so-called, are art unions in Ihe original and true mcauing of the term. They are lotteries. If they are to he permitted, Parliament should deal with them as lotteries, making suitable provision for supervision and public protection, and limiting the purposes for which they may he used—Post.