BAPTIST UNION

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1931, Page 6

BAPTIST UNION

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. PROTEST AGAINST ART UNIONS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 12. A deputation from the Baptist Union Conference to-day waited on tbe Minister of Internal A Hairs urging that the restrictions imposed by the Coates Government on art unions, but since released, should be again enforced. Rev. Dr J J. North said a large * ' £ \> body of sentiment in New Zealand/was thoroughly aroused and alarmed by are unions. No pronouncement had been seen by him regarding Catholic Church’s attitude, but all other churches were very much concerned at the new prominence given lotteries. It is impossible now. lie said, for any person to walk down a street without noticing a large alteration that has: occurred. Tn the streets, persons were beset by sellers of lottery tickets. One would imagine one was on the streets of somo Spanish or American city, instead of a New Zealand City with some English and puritan tradition behind. IT is obvious on the face of it that the hypocrisy of the movement, stands, if the movement, was permitted to become .well established they would he setting the country at the top of a very slip--pery slope. Rev. ,T. K. Archer said tin* Cancer Art Union Campaign was being run riot bv doctors or the Cancer Campaign Committee hut by a group of speculators acting in their own interests. Tt was being organised by n whole army of people who got good payment- out of it and who- were conducting it purely as iv commercial interprise.

Mr R, W right ALP.. who introduced the deputation :—“Tt not that a hard tiling to sav.” Rev. Archer said it had been admitted by one' of tbe organisers that It was the most pernicious aspect- of the art union they had vet seen. People were being caught by the specious plea of saving life, whereas the organisers were not worrying about the saving of life, but their own commissions. They were violating tin* law of the country as much as they dared. Tbe Minister, the Hon. A. Hamilton, replying, said lie understood there were four more permits allotted to take six months to dispose of them .Tt- appeared that The Government had no control over the situation until flic present- promises were fulfilled and it was difficult to say what the present Government’s policy would he on the subject. So far it had not been considered by Cabinet. It was for Cabinet to say. but personally His own inclination was to stiffen up. rather than loosen u)) the law regarding the moral habits of the people. ’They would hav e to trust to the good sense of public men at the head of the Government to d(T the Tight Thing.' hut what thaT "action would bo, time would tell. Replying to a question. Mr Hamilton said every art union appeared to be profitable and very likely the cancer people would get a lot out of theirs. Rev. Archer:—“Watch the costs.” Mr Hamilton said he did not know what percentage of the total sum was constituted by tbe rests of administration.