CHURCH RAFFLES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 239, 3 July 1919, Page 4

CHURCH RAFFLES

DISCUSSED BY SYNOD. The holding of raffles for raising money for church purposes was a subject discussed at yesterday's sitting of the Wellington Diocesan Synod. Mr. W. Haydon Maclean moved: "That all vestries be directed that synod forbids the adoption of raffles and liko methods of raising money in connection with any church'work." Mr. Maclean said that during the past four ov five years the country had been flooded with raffles. He did not propose to enter into a discussion on tho question as to whether raffles constituted gambling or otherwise. If they raised money for church work they were devoting it to Almighty God. They had no right to offer anything but their best, whether it was money, or their time. Church people should not have to resort to raffles for tho purpose of raising money for church work. Mr. A. J. Nevins seconded the motion. Mr. J. W. Henderson moved an amendment to the effect that the synod deprecates raffles as a-means of raising money for church work. Ho eaid that General Synod had not forbidden raffle,', therefore it was not correct to instruct vestries that it had done so. The Itev. C. H. Isaacson seconded the amendment.

Speaking to the amendment, Mr. Maclean said that the synod should do someIhing more than merely "deprecate" the holding of ruffles. Tt was time that the practice was forbidden. Bishop Sprott appealed to the laity to speak their minds on the question. Ho did not want discussion on tho matter to be confined to the clergy. . Mr. Nevins said that the law of tho land'nrohibited Tattcrs.all's in New Zealand,'and it seemed an extraordinary, thing that the law should permit rattles in connection with church work. Jno church should not recognise gambline. in anv shane or form. (Applause.) He supported the motion as against the jmemlment. , , ~ , Several other speakers, both laymen and clergymen, took part in the discussion, in which it was pointed out that raffles were not desirable methods ot raising money. ~ u The Kev. C. H. Grant Cowan thought the matter should he left to the judgment of the ladies of each parish v.ho were probably the best, nidges as Jo hon -money should be raised. Ho fr.ued to see how the synod could enforce the prohibition of raffles. ~,... Bishop Sprott said thai while, he was entirely in sympathy with the view that raffles should not be used as a menus of raiding money, he di«likM ih» iomi of vuod making a prohibition which he did not think it could mforce. Th« motion did not suggest any means of eiifVci'is: it« nrovismns. Finally. Mr: Henderson s amendment n, carried, and. on. the >™t' o " Kev .T G. Castle, it was decided to ! send copies to all vestries in tho oiocesc.