ENJOYS A SWEEPSTAKE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 83, 5 October 1931, Page 9

ENJOYS A SWEEPSTAKE

A VICAE AND BETTING

"NOTHING MORALLY

WRONG"

(By Telegraph.) (Speciai to "The Evenlnn Post.") AUCKLAND, 4th October. The confession "I rather enjoy being in a sweepstake," is made by the Eev. A. Eussel Allertou, vicar of St. Thomas's Church, Freeman's Bay, in an article on gambling in the parish magazine. "There is nothing morally wrong in betting in itself," asserts Mr. Allerton. "There are obviously great dangers arising therefrom, and theso clangers confuso many well-iheaning folk into addled thinking and rash speaking. Betting on horses is clearly a serious temptation to stupid people who are vain enough to think that they are cleverer or more knowing than common sense and experience justify; to people so ignorant of mathematics that they believe in systems, and, to those unfortunate people who have both the above failings, plus the desire to get rich quickly, and to be on something for nothing. << . ;■■■■ "As we are all moro or less stupid and think we know moro than we do, and sincerely feel that we could do with more money than we have, it will be clear that in such an imperfect world the bookmaker will not lack punters, the Stock Exch.Mige speculators, or gambling tables players. If betting were wrong in itself, then we ought not to tolerate it either on the course or the Stock Exchange, through book; maker, broker, or. . tho tote. As it is , not necessary, it might be desirable to suppress it altogether as a dangerous- nuisance like motor-cycles. "DEPLORABLE STATE OP AFFAIRS." "When I was a boy I visited a prohibition State and noted the amount of drunkenness and the almost universal facilities for drinking. Now I live where bookmaking is illegal, and Dr. North assures us.that bookmakers are legion and that punting is general. This is a deplorable state of affairs..,- It brings the law into contempt, gives opportunities for corruption and blackmailing, provides the maximum, of facilities for betting with the minimum of security all round. The obvious solution' would seem to be the licensing of reputable bookmakers under conditions that would at once make for security, control the facilities for betting, and abolish touting. It may be said that this has been tried in New Zealand and was a failure.. lam assured that the previous licensing of bookmakers gave neither security nor control, but merely legalised the nuisance. . , "I am quite sure that, in spite of weighing my words carefully, I shall be misunderstood by many who dislike thinking carefully. Both sides will no doubt declare that I have sided with them more than I have. Ido not bet myself except when I go to races, and I have not been to races for three years. . I rather enjoy being in a sweepstake. I have bought only one art-, union ticket since I have been in New Zealand, and I enjoyed doing that mainly because the dear old lady by my side was bursting to denounce me with a pseudo-pontifical pronouncement as to what the Church said on the subject. ■ ■ l. PURITANICAL PROHIBITIONS. "I cannot understand the pleasure that, many get out of backing. horses they cannot.see, but I.know iriany excellent people who do, and I accept the fact. I also know of people who are too fond of money to risk losing a bob on a hoTse. I advise people strongly not. to bet, but I have more confidence in the building up of a disciplined Christian life and character than in Puritanical prohibitions. A humble, generous person will not lose his head about money, either on or off a horse. Prohibitionists are always in danger of becoming prigs, than which I can conceive nothing more foot-provoking."