STATE LOTTERIES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 82, 3 October 1931, Page 12

STATE LOTTERIES

(To tl» Editor.) Sir,—New Zealand certainly wants a Lang in one respect, although we could well dispense with him in other ways. When the history of Australia's eventful times conies to be written the achievement of the Lang Government will.-, be success of the State lotteries. In approximately two months five lotteries have been drawn; each showing a nett profit of £9000, equalling £45,000—surely a worthy achievement amidst unemployment and poverty. It is time New Zealand followed suit with a properly organised State lottery with a specified number of tickets to' be sold for. each draw, and a minimum of expense incurred. For some time past we have been confronted with the spectacle of one art union after another being launched on the public: with no minimum to the number of tickets that may be sold, and with miscellaneous objects to benefit thereby. At the present time unquestionably the needs of all worthy societies should become subservient to the greatest call of all—the "cry of the unemployed, and if a State lottery was inaugurated .with the object of swelling the unemployed funds,-there is no doubt that 'all- classes of tho community would generously subscribe, i It is an outstanding fact that in Queensland and Tasmania the effects of unemployment have been felt in a much lesser degree than in the other States, and, in these two States, as everyone knows, the State lotteries!have been in existence for some time. The whole country is looking for someone who will take this matter up with energy and vigour, and it remains to be seen who will come forward to convene a meeting of those interested in order to make representations to the Government to have a measure brought down for the desired end.—l am, etc., FAR..