The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1891. Gamblihg and Betting

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 50, 24 October 1891, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1891. Gamblihg and Betting

As the vice of gambling is one only too prevalent in this colony, and alarmingly on the increase, we reproduce for tho benefit of our readers some remarks made by an English clergyman, the Eey Price Hughes,' as quoted in the Heview of Eeviews for August. "It is somewhat difficult to distinguish between gambling and betting, but both practices spring from the same root ; a vulgar love, of money. The mania of gambling pervades all classes of society, and this bnco aristocratic vice has now percolated through every grade, down to the very gutter. Gambling not only leads to financial ruin, but it has a peculiar, deadening effect upon the soul, even before, the brutal consummation is, reached. It produces one of the most heartless forms of selfishness, and is fatal to delicacy and magnanimity of mind. It is peculiarly, mean, sordid, and brutal. Tho writer ' thinks it ie time to ask what can be done to stop the ravages of this national curse, and also thinks that unless a conscience.can he ereatedon the subject nothing can. .be done. Gambling is a gain without merit, and it is a gain through another's loss. Whenever the seller and buyer aro not mutually benefitted the transaction is immoral, and involves dishonesty and deceit oh one .side .or the other. Tho more the conduct of the gambler is analysed, the more it will be realised that at bottom every gambler is a thief, and gambling stands in tho same relation to stealing, that duelling does to murder. In both cases--the victim takes the chance, may be the victor. Butirrjife case of duelling theconsciense^fEugland no longer regardsyLhlflf as an excuse ; and the day wjH- come when England will ...hS-OnlialTy enlightened in relation to gambling. After-advising the clergy of all denominations to set a clean example, it. is, recommended that the State should interfere, and punish all parties, who promote the vice. The publication of betting odds in the . newspapers, and even the use of the telegraph wire by gamblers should be prohibited bylaw." Impartial thinkers who look on the question frpm the' stand point of common sense, and ' everyday experience, will know that the Key gohtleman means well, but he does not" know human nature. Ho appears to think that gambling at one time was peculiar to the upper or liesure classes only, and to civilisation. There could be no greater error. The passion, or viee — you may call it by either name — is inherent in all men to a greater or less extent, but in our opinion it is injust to paint it in such dark colors, until it becomes a trade or means'of livlihood on the part of the gambler. Tho real craving of the so-called gambler is not gain, it. is excitement, and that fact being admitted, the cure for the vice is to supply a substitute- Wb at tliat su.bstitu.te is we are not prepared to say, but when we look back ou the social history of Englishmen for the last hundred years, we find a vast difference and change for the better in the liv.es of nien. For example, it was not only excusable but fashionable to get drunk at table ; and a man who kept sober was lookod upon either as a weakling or a nincumpoop. Now that is all changed, and a man who drinks to excees under any circumstances whatever is looked on either with pity iqv big weakness, or contempt for his vulgarity. Publio opinion has chaDged wonderfully in this raspect, and wo do not sco why it should not bo made to change in respect to gambling. Moro abuse and the uso of strong language will do nothing towards that rlqsired end ; what is needed is the gentle persuasion of good example. ™ \