THE IRISH SWEEPS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1931, Page 2

THE IRISH SWEEPS

AIIGHT END SHORTLY

STATEMENT AND DENIAL

Two important developments affecting the future of sweepstakes were reported iVoni Great Britain last month.

In the House of Commons the Home Secretary, Air Clynes, re I used to CK " tablish an inquiry into the present lottery laws. He said the Govern ment was not satisfied, on present information, that there- was a balanc° of opinion, whether Parliamentary or independent, in favour of a revision of the law relating to lotteries and sweepstakes, In the Irish Free State Parliament Air Entree, a private member suggested that Irish sweepstakes might end shortly “because they were becoming a big diplomatic issue between the Free States and other States.” There is a denial in official circles in London of any suggestion that the British Government lias made representations on the subject to the Irish Free State Government. The British Government view is that, while participation in the Irish sweepstakes in England continues to bo a technical illegality, it would he ill the highest degree improper to iiiake any proposals for an alteration of the law ill another sovereign State. The stoppage of the entry of books of Irish sweepstake tickets into the United States and a complete embargo on tlie part of the Ulster Gojvernment are, however, matters in Air AlcEntrce’s mind. “WILL CARRY ON.” AYhon Air McEntree, in his speech in Bail Eirennn, expressed the opinion that the Irish sweepstakes would shortly cm lie- to an end, lie described, tlie sweepstakes as “legalised gambling,” and declared: “‘IF we persist in sweepstakes we are going to build up a bootlogging industry in lottery tickets between this country and others.”

An official of the Hospitals Trust, Ltd., organisers of the sweepstakes, said to a “Daily Mail” representative: “This is the first time we have had a criticism of this nature. It will certainly not affect us. AYe shall carry on as usual.

“Air AlcEntee’s criticism was, of course, a purely personal one, and does not represent the bulk of public opinion.”