"CURSE OF GAMBLING"

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 47, 19 November 1920, Page 10

"CURSE OF GAMBLING"

REVIEWED BY CHURCHMEN A PLEA FOR CLEAN SPORT A stem indichnont was lovolled against gambling by the Uev. ]). D, Scott, at yesterdays sitting of tlio Presbyterian Ueneral Assembly. i u moving tbo adoption of the report of the Lifo and "Work Committee. Keforring to the recentlyconstituted ltacing Commission. Mr. Scott said that there was a strong suspicion in his mind—and in the minds of others—that the number of racing permits would be<increased.. It behoved the Church to attack the evil of gambling witli all the powers it possessed. "1 do not believe." he said, "that there is any other social vice in our land that docs more injury of a subtle character tSJhe character of our young people than tins vice of eambling. jlure young people are affected aim depraved by gambling than there are by drinking, and that is bad cnouuh." lie added that he was not one of those who were pessi,-' mistic to the extent of saying Unit it was hopeless to continue an offensive against gambling, lie went on to point out that the standard of gambling bad gradually been raised in England and in the Dominion. Ten years ago, for. instance, the bookmaker hail tiie blessing of the Government. Mow, however, the curses of the Government were falling on his bead, and if. all that had ..been said was true, ho was in for a bad time; In that there was cause lor thankfulness lor the advance in the country's ethical standards. "We are iiot," ■he continued, "attacking tbo sport of racing as such. We believe in sport and believe that various kinds of sport ought to have a place in tlio nation; but. we want to lmvo the sport clean, free from the elements that help to debaso our young people." Ifo added hat personally lie would like to see more dono among the young people.with a view to inculcating in them antagonism to the gambling evil. The report, a precis of which was published yesterday, was adopted, and relative to gambling tho following recommendation was carried:—

"That an appeal be made to tho Education Department to publish carefullyprepared articles ill tho 'School Journal' against tho vice of gambliui;, that special'instructions be given in all our Sunday schools, and that ministers be urged, to preach against' gambling." A further motion, moved by the liev. D. 0. Ilerron, protestinn against any proposal to increase tho number of ray-' inß permits, was' referred to the Public Questions Committee to bo revised.