GAMBLING CONDEMNED.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18231, 15 November 1924, Page 14

GAMBLING CONDEMNED.

(TBXSS ABSOCUTIOH TBLBOBAX.)

PAIiMERISTON N., November 14

At the Presbyterian General. Assembly to-day the following resolutions were passed unanimously:— (1) "Assembly enjoins all Deacons' Courts and Management Committees to- itbstain' from making applications for permits for lotteries, and to abstain from all such questionable methods of raising money-for Christian work."-- ... - - The. Rev.-H. McLean, stated that no Presbyterian - Church application for a lottery had been made to the: Minister of Internal Affairs since September, -1923, and during the four years immedtaitefly preceding that date only five applications hnd been, made by Presbyterians. . -. : ■ •. : (2) "Assembly reaffirms its condemnation of gambling in. all ita forms, aid declares" its'-' relentless hostility to 'the totalisator as the cause of economic waste .and the degradation of true: sport, the prolific source of crime, and the cause of misery and shame. In the opinion of the Assembly legislation has given the totalisator an air of respectability which increases the moral danger to the community. Assembly deplores that despite the acknowledged: evil consequences of gambling, the warnings of judges and others, and the protests of the Churches. Cabinet Ministers and M.P.'s should have preferred the de-. mands of the racing clubs to . the moral opinions of the Churches."