IRISH FREE STATE.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18947, 17 May 1933, Page 9

IRISH FREE STATE.

FUTURE OF SWEEPSTAKES. EXTENSION OF SOCIAL BENEFITS. (From a Correspondent.) DUBLIN, March 26. Eight sweepstakes have now taken place, and the successive figures offer Interesting comparisons. Out of total cash receipts of over £22,000,000 the hospitals have been allocated, but have not yet received, £5,500,000, and the prize fund has absorbed £15,000,000. The hospitals’ share has, for the last three sweeps, borne stamp duty at the rate of 25 per cent., and, furthermore, one-quarter of the residue is earmarked for hospitals under the oontrol of local authorities. Hospitals Trust, the promoting body, has received for the first seven sweeps the substantial total of £455,000. This sum is over and above all cash disbursements, and has varied from 7 per cent, to 2.09 of the total expenses. The puzzling feature In the figures is the ratio of expenses. Over the first three sweeps they fell from 17 per cent, to 7 per cent. They have since shown a gradual and steady rise, and for the sweep just concluded amounted j.o 11 per cent. This percentage increase, moreover, is/not accounted for by reduced receipts, because the lowest ratio of 7 per cent, was for the Derby of 1931, where the receipts were £300,000 less than for the present Grand National. Why Costs Have, Risen. In the absence of official explanation there is considerable speculation as to the reason for this increase. At first sight it might be thought that growing experience would enable economies to be made. The rather lavish displays in decoration and costumes can' hardly account for £126,- ■ 000, which the 4 per cent, increase represents. / A possible explanation is that, owing to the hard times and waning interest on the part of the public, it has been necessary to offer larger inducements to ticket-selling agents, It is well known that books in quan- > tity can be purchased for less than £5, but the amount and extent of these overriding commissions has never been disclosed. If less money hod been received per ticket sold the administration expenses would not he reduced, but the percentage ratio would be increased. I merely offer this as a possible explanation. An attempt was made in the Senate during the passage Of an amending ; Bill more than a year ago to impose ,on the auditors an obligation to state the number of tickets sold. The proposal was opposed by the Government and rejected by the. House. Until this figure is known the amount of “water" in the drum cannot be ascertained. Possibly the auditors’ report will in due oourse throw some light on the perplexity. ' Future Extension. The Government has wisely decided ; to set up a commission to : examine and -*■- report upon the whole future of hos>pltal needs and policy. Hitherto this matter has been handled in rather piecemeal fashion by a Committee of Reference. In the meantime, except in cases of urgency, no more of the £2,000,000 of sweepstake money now In hand will be distributed. This is a wise, If somewhat belated, decision. ■ It will be opposed by the vested interests that have grown and prospered with so much easy money, but some fixed long-distance plan is essential If further waste is to be checked. I am Informed on good authority—though I have no doubt this may be challenged—that, in spite of all the money available, Dublin' has not In existence or in prospect one hospital, really up to date both In buildings and equipment. In addition to this special inquiry there is to be amending legislation. A Bill has been introduced, but not yet published, which, according, to its title, will oontinue sweepstakes beyond next year, when they legally expire. It will enlarge the purposes for which the proceeds may be applied, so as to embrace certain sooial services which relate “directly or indirectly to the physical or mental headth of the ' people.” By this means it might he possible to raise money to build houses at rents which the very poor can afford, a project which the Labour Party have been pressing for some time past, and even to build a stadium which would enable the world Olympic games to take place here in 1935. The Annuity Money. As was expected, the self-imposed cut in Ministers’ salaries will not be an isolated example of self-sacrifice. A Bill has now been introduced to give the Minister of Finance power to cut all salaries, both of civil serX vants and teachers, but not those of judges. This may lead to Interesting cross-voting in the Dali. Labour, if consistent, will resist reductions in the case of lower grade officials, but the Government will probably find new allies in the Centre Party, who are pledged to bring official salaries more into line with what they conceive to be the power of the country to pay. The Bill which applies the annuity money to general revenue purposes will be law during the week. It will then be possible to pay the local authorities some £1,000,000 duo on * account of withheld grants. It is strange that under changed conditions the Government should continue a practice which in effect makes ratepayers in general responsible for unpaid annuities. A Better Feeling. Whether it is the promise of spring _or the hardening of habit there is certainly at the moment less apprehension and a greater feeling of confidence. The Government, whatever its faults, and they are many, shows no lack of courage and Imagination. Tho large farmers continue to suffer, and many have cut. their losses. Business houses have not for the most part had too bad a year, and bank deposits have markedly increased. If a serious attempt, as seems possible, is made to limit, expenditure and to avoid any increase of taxation, this will go far to reassure those Interests whoso support is necessity for any capital development. The Government must soon borrow, and it cannot do so unless it gains the confidence of Ihe commercial classes, whose outlook. Is traditionally conservative. For this reason the Budget is anxiously awaited. __________________