Anglican View Of Gaming Poll

Grey River Argus, 9 October 1948, Page 3

Anglican View Of Gaming Poll

CHRISTCHURCH, October 8. The Christchurch Diocesan Synod of the Anglican Church yesterday resolved: “That, this synod strongly disapproves of any legislative action which would result in increased facilities for gambling; also that in view of the referendum to be held in 1949 on the provision of increased facilities for gambling, this Synod draws the attention of all Christian people to their grave responsibility in the exercise of’their vote in the matter.” Mr. L. R, Burgess moved the resolution, supporters of which urged that increased facilities for gambling were undesirable, and most said that gambling was morally wrong. It was decided to advise the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry) of the Synod’s decision. Mr. Burgess said that anyone wanting to lay a bet at present could go to a bookmaker and do so; but if off-the-course betting was legalised, opportunities for betting would be greater, and betting would increase. Art union tickets at present were available on every street corner; but how many people would bother to ask for them if they were not so openly sold Gambling was an insidious evil, he said, and was undermining the national character. Community centres, which were claimed to be cultural organisations, ran raffles. Children were becoming so accustomed to raffles that they did not question the practice of buying and selling raffle tickets. The church was bound to give its adherents direction on the referendum, for to remain silent was to support the proposal for increased facilities.

Canon H. Hamilton said he held gambling lo be immoral; and against the Christian law that “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” He said: “W ! e do not own money or property. We are merely stewards nf property—God is thp sole owner. Plenty of neonle think that if a practice is legal, it is moral, urging that facilities for gambling be not increased. “We have seen this in the case of divorce,” he said. Rev. W. C. M. Huerdegen said that in South Australia betting shops were legalised a few years ago. As a result there had been much more gambling, and more of the evils associated with gambling than before. Many South Australians had told him that the measure was a sad mistake. Rev. C. E. B. Muxhamn said he did not believe that in principle gambling was wrong, hut considered that to-dav it was nearly always wrong in nractice. Covetousness was one of the main evils to-day. It was found on the stock exchange and in all walks of Ufe. Mr. A. .1. Scott moved that Svnod instruct the public and social affairs committee to . consider the terms of the referendum, when announced, and to report to the standing committee, which, if it thought fit, micht make a public statement. This amendment was defeated, Canon H. O. Hanbv referring to it as "passing the buck,’’