RAFFLES.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1915, Page 5

RAFFLES.

STOPPING THE ORGY. THE LAW HAS .BEEN STRAINED. By Wire.—Special to Daily News. ■Wellington, Last Night. The orgy of rallies in which the country lias been indulging during the last month or two is to he stopped. The matter was brought up at the first meeting of the National Cabinet to-day, and the Prime Minister announced afterwards that the Gaming and Lotteries Act could no longer be regarded as a dead letter. Rallies that were actually in progress at the present time for patriotic purposes would be permitted to proceed to completion. Although they would not be directly sanctioned, the police would not institute proceedings without instructions from the Atlorne.v -General, who would exercise his discretion, but for the future the provisions of the Act would he strictly enforced. "It should be known that permits have not 'been issued, ex.cpt ill accordance with the Gaming and Lotteries Act,'' said Mr, Massey. "The Government has not authorised these lotteries and rallies. The position is that certain persons, who have been very enthusiastic about raising money for patriotic fund-, have strained the law. unwittingly perhaps, and the authorities, having regard to the exceptional circumstances, have not prosecuted them, lint the Government cannot allow the matter to go any further. The raffles must not be held for the future without permits, which will be granted in accordance with the provisions of the Act." The decision of the Government to interfere is due, in part, to the knowledge that the methods adopted in connection with son:c of the rallies and lotteries h;.ve not Veen above suspicion. It H no <ieie! that certain persons have done rather veil in connection with ralNes where the prizes were purchased, and not donated.