ART UNIONS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4955, 24 March 1926, Page 2

ART UNIONS.

GETTING OUT OF HAND.

ONE NOTABLE EXAMPLE.

DUNEDIN, March 23.

A deputation, representing the Council of Christian Congregations, waited on the Hon. R. F. Bollard, Minister of Internal, Affairs, asking for the application, as soon as possible, of the limit of £soo* sterling being fixed a» prize-money for ar,t unions. It was also suggested that the opinion of the Attorney-General be obtained on the legality of the payment of prizes in . cash instead of actual mineral specimens.

Speakers referred to the bad effect on the morals of .the community through the development of the gambling spirit.

The Rev. Tulloch Yuille stated that opinions had been obtained by the council on the law, by which they were assured that those organising ait unions under the present system were breaking the law. It was also tel.t that strict application of the law wotjld not allow tickets to be sent through the post. Mr Bollard replied that a class of art union in which prizes were paid by cheque was operating before he assumed office. In connection with the Dunedin art union he fouhd that £30,000 worth of tickets had been sold, and that the expenses amounted ,to half that He saw plainly that they were going to make a sort of Tattersall’s sweep, and decided to put his. foot down. 'Unfortunately, many applications were in before he decided to limit .the prizes to £5OO. That was the position.

Regarding art unions now in operation, he insisted, before granting permits, that the gold dust must be in the possession of a bank. If he found the £5OO limit abused he would reduce it by half. Before this Limit was imposed several applications • were in,, and, as each had to wait for the gold dust, of which there was but £6ooo' worth in the Dominion, it would take time to work them off, and he would give them till Maiteh, 1927. The Minister also. stated that he would prohibit the broadcasting of books of tickets.