LOTTERY SYSTEM OPPOSED

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1931, Page 2

LOTTERY SYSTEM OPPOSED

SOCIAL SERVICES

INDUSTRY AND THRIFT ENDANGERED.

PALMERSTON N., August 5

Decided hostility to the raising of money for Government social services by means of lotteiies was voiced by the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy (Minister of Health) in addressing members of the Palmerston North Rotary Club at their weekly luncheon.

After stressing the need, for selfreliance and pointing out that industry and thrift were two fundamental principles that could not be disregarded, the Minister saidl he was going to ask Rotarians for their moral support in regard to opposing any change in the direction that had been suggested for the financing of social services. Certain demands, he proceeded, had been made upon Ministers and upon the Government to do as the gambler did—to stake all cm the throw of a dice. In the Dominion there had been built up social services of which New Zealanders could be proud; but, owing to the strain on the public purse, grants to hospitals had to be reduced. To the call for economy 98 per cent, of the .board hod responded, magnificently, tho Palmerston North board ha;d risen ix> thq. occasion and was doing 5 its task in'fin© mamier. Next year, it was to be hoped, would bring better conditions, but there were no prospects of that’ to day. On every New Zealander there was a serious obligation to apply himself to the task ahead andi help ultimately to bring about a more prosperous state of affairs.

“GAMBLER'S DICE.” > lir the meantime it was being suggested that a State lottery should be established to provide funds for hospital work—in other words, the abrogation of constitutional methods for a gambler’s dice. It had, been stated that £2,000,000 had been subscribed in the Irish Free State lottery; but owing to the heavy expenses, only £7CO,009 had been available for the hospitals. In New Zealand the cost of art union s had been very high, ranging from 40 to 50 per cent; and if the people were to throw overboard constitutional methods of raising funds, easily one-half of the money forthcoming could be swallowed up in expenses, “If we as a community,” Mr Stallworthy went on, “deliberately counten. ance or assist in raising money for public utilities other than by a constitutional way, we are helping, even tLogak^it«,may,-<bci-,uimonficio.ußly l to break down those fundamental principles of industry and thrift. If we come to rely on the services of others, may bq a brother or 'a sister, or an institution, or the Government, or if wo teach our children to rely on others, we will break down the self-depend-ence .of our race and do nothing else than wreck the Empire to which we belong, “I am sure that my words will not fall on deaf ears when I appeal to Rotarians to stand hv those two great principles—principles that are eternal, and on which our grand heritage has been built,” the Minister concluded.