NOT FOR YOUTH

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 695, 22 November 1933, Page 2

NOT FOR YOUTH

DUKE OF ATHOLL'S NEW SCHEMH TO ASSURE CHARITY. It was reported by cable this week that the Duke of Atholl had been charged with an infringement of the Lotteries Act. Originally, it was declared, he contemplated a sweep on the St. Leger, but abandoned this in favour of inviting a million people to subscribe 10s to charity, with the disposal of the proceeds at his diseretion and prizes promised to the subscribers. He received £152,000, prize winners obtained £30,000, and expenses totalled £57,000. According to a cahle message, dated November 3, the Daily Mail believed that the Home Offiee has been informed by its legal advisers that certain features of the Duke of Atholl's "Mystery Fund" infrimged the law, but this advice is hased on the assumption that the faets publicly stated ahout the fund can be proved. Apparently, no aeti'on could be taken before tbe close of subscriptioiis, because no offence was being committed. The contravention of the law, if any occurred, was in the choosing of the recipients of the gifts, and th'e distribution of them. The duke's "Mystery Fund" was opened in July, when he invited 1,000,000 sportsmen and sportswomen each to send him 10s to be used at his absolute diseretion. It was wound up on October 20. Additional evidence as to the duke's own statements must, however, be obtained. The authorities consider that. if no action were taken it would be assumed that the scheme was lawful, thereby encouraging many similar schemes.. The duke repeatedly asserted that he took legal advice and was assured that the scheme was legal. No nohleman outside those of R'oyaJ. blood has so many titles of nobility as the Duke of Atholl. He belongs to one of the oldest Scottish' families, yet is considered to be one of the most democratic and best liked peers. He is a peer twelve times over in Scoi> land, four times over in Great Britain, and once in the United Kingdom. The duke is the only subject iri Great Britain entitled to have a private army. In comprises 30 Atholl Highlanders, all of the Clan Murray, attached to his castle. An ancestor, Lord George Murray, won the right to have 1000 men at Culloden. , The duke has spent many years in working for charity and Scottish wel- . fare associations. He is deeply interested in Scottish religious life, is the chairman of miany social and charitable committees, and played a leading part in ini'tiating and supervising the construc'tion of the Scottish National W'ar Memorial in Edinburgh. He is' fond of hunting and oth'er sports. "Truth," in criticising the gigantic expenses of the Atholl fund, points out that the Edinburgh Infirmary recently raised more in a fortnight by voluntary suhscription than the Duke of Atholl's grandiose scheme.