THE GAMBLING MENACE

Shannon News, 15 December 1925, Page 4

THE GAMBLING MENACE

ATTACK ON ART UNIONS. WHERE THE END DOESN'T JUSTIFY THE MEANS. j Gambling m general, and as applied to raffles and art unions, was the subject of an outspoken address by tlte Rev. W. A. Burley, M.A., at the Birkenhead Methodist Church on Sunday evening.' Never, he said, was there such an orgy, that he could remember, of gambling in art unions as during the past few months. When they looked at it, there was very little between gambling and thieving, because they recived. something without rendering equivalent service.! Art unions were bigger, and "catches" mora numerous. It was said •the end justified the means, as each of these art unions were for a "good cause." In big letters they saw £5000"! and in a corner the object was insignificantly represented as a "sports ground." The greed and selfish N instincts within them were appealed to in order to provide some pei'ple with a "sports ground." They knew as well as he did that no end such as this justified the means, us do evil that good may come,* met .with condemnation long ago. Raffles arid-art'unions were tne "first glass" of the drunkard that made the confirmed gambler of the future. Next to drink, nothing caused so much crime as gambling. Theft, bankruptcy and suicide followed in its wake. Outside Monte Cario there was a "suicides' cemetery!" Every sport that gambling captured, it degraded. It was almost impossible ! in New Zealand to get a jury to convict a bookmaker. It was a rare case for a jury to convict. Why, Because this gambling demoralised and sapped the good in character. Attempts had been made to. justify gambling for the alleged relief to the drab lives of many people by the adventure with it afforded. Why not, then, go the "whole hog" in their thirst for adventure, and become, highwaymen ?