THE IRISH SWEEPS.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18392, 28 July 1931, Page 4

THE IRISH SWEEPS.

MIGHT END SHORTLY.

STATEMENT AND DENIAL.

Two Important developments affeoting the future of sweepstakes were reported from Great Britain last month.

In the House of Commons the Home Secretary, Mr Clynes, refused to establish an Inquiry into the present lottery laws. He said the Government was not satisfied, on present information, that there was a balance of opinion, Whether Parliamentary or Independent, in favour of a revision of the law relating to lotteries and sweepstakes? In the Irish 'Free State Parliament Mr McEntee, a private member, suggested that Irish sweepstakes might end shortly “because they were becoming a big diplomatic issue between the Free State and other States.” There is a denial in offloial circles In London of any suggestion that the British Government has made representations on the subject to the Irish Free State Government. The British Government view Is that, while participation In the Irish sweepstakes In 'England continues to he a technical illegality, It would be in the 'highest degree improper to make any proposals l'or an alteration of the law in.another sovereign State. The stoppage of the. entry of books ■of Irish sweepstake tickets Into the United States and a complete embargo on the part of Ulster Government are. however, matters In Mr McEntee’s mind.

Will Carry On.

When Mr McEntee, in his speech in Dail Eireann, expressed the opinion that the Irish sweepstakes would shortly come to an end, he described the sweepstakes as “legalised gambling,” and declared: "If we persist in sweepstakes we are going to build up a bootlegging industry in lottery tickets between this country and others.”

An oflloial of 'the Hospitals Trust, Ltd., organisers of the sweepstakes, said to a Daily Mail representative: “This is the first time wo have had a criticism of this nature. It will certainly not affect us. Wc shall carry on as usual. "Mr McEntoe’s criticism was, of course, a purely personal ' one, and does not represent the bulk of public opinion.”