HOSPITAL FINANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1929, Page 6

HOSPITAL FINANCE

SUGGESTED STATE LOTTERY JX X.S.Vv.

SYDNEY, April 3,

Tlie Churches, of course, have bestowed upon the Premier (Air Bavin) their blessings for his and his Government’s adamant refusal to sanction a State lottery in aid of the hospitals, such as the Queensland Golden Casket, hut the grape-shot which is being poured into the Ministry through the oroadsides of the Press indicates clearly that its altitude on this phase of the gambling issuo'is regarded as insincere liv many of the public.

The Governjnent is being reminded that it is already committed to the principle that it is quite all right to conduct a totalisator and to derive from it much profit, and yet apparently feels that it is impolite and grossly immoral to benefit the impoverished hospitals and the sick and the needy by another instrument of chance. To quote one of the leading Sydney newspapers. “A Government which stands in with gambling devices such as the ‘tote’ and the tax on bookmakers, and on punters when it can get them, has not the clean hands which are necessary for an honest moral crusade.” The Government, as a matter ol fact, is in pretty had odour generally.

General belief is that it is doomed to defeat when it again goes to the polls, and that the Labour Party is assured of another lease of power as long as its generalissimo. Mr Lang does not kick over the political traces in the meantime.