ILLEGAL EUCHRE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 292, 1 March 1928, Page 11

ILLEGAL EUCHRE

CONCERN IN CHRISTCHURCH LARGE DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH. To-day. A large deputation, including many women, some with children, waited on the Prime Minister this morning, and asked for an alteration in the Gaming Act to legalise progressive euchre parties. Mr. E. J. Howard, M.P.. said he had never known anyone ruined by progressive euchre, which was an innocent game used to raise money for good objects. Mr. W. Harvey. representing the school committees, explained that euchre parties were often used to raise money for school needs, such as swimming baths. In reply, Mr. Coates said that the onlv possible objection he could think of was whether people should play cards or not. He would refer the matter to the Minister of Justice, and to the Attorney-General to investigate the legal position. The Premier said, further, that the Judge in the recent case had no option but to accept the law as it stood, and he was pleased that the deputation recognised that. One or two points occurred to him. For instance, it must be considered whether the parties might encourage young people to play cards for money, though it was quite clear, from the statements n>ade, that, no money was played for. There was an entrance fee, and money prizes were provided. Whether the position could be met by giving trophies, he could not say. A member of the deputation sma that no money prizes were paid. Mr. Coates said that point had been emphasised.