PRESBYTERY AND PROHIBITION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 243, 14 October 1925, Page 10

PRESBYTERY AND PROHIBITION.

ALLIANCE CIRCULAR RESENTED. GETTING VOTERS TO POLL. A discussion took place at the meeting of the Auckland Presbytery last night on the coming licensing vote. Mr. Falkner, representing the New Zealand Alliance, gave a brief address. He said they looked to the Christian Churches for support. He believed they had a fighting chance of succeeding this time, especially if the Christian Church assumed its full responsibilities. The Church could, if it would, kill the liquor traffic. What was wanted was to arouse the people in their churches from the deadly apathy that often spelled defeat. Mr. Falkner then retired from the room. The Rev. 11. L. Hunt submitted the report of the Temperance Committee of the Presbytery, making various recommendations for the campaign, and including a suggestion for organisation to get interest in the poll on election day. It was agreed that Prohibition Sunday be the 25th inst. ( The Rev. C. J. Tocker asked if that resolution meant that liis Church would be responsible for getting people to the poll from a certain area, because, if it did, then it would not be done. The Christian Church had other great functions to perform than carrying people to the booths on election day. Personally, he wished to say he resented a letter send round the Churches by the Alliance, and bearing the signature of Mr. Falkner. It was a piece of impudence, as well as misguided policy. They were just about tired of the Church being attacked in this manner. The Church should be left to do its own work, which was to stir up the consciences of the people, and attend to spiritual matters. Rev. G. W. Blair said, referring to "the criminality of tlie Church," the letter was not a wise one. Rev. Lamb Harvey asked, "Why should we preach Prohibition to our people, and. then refuse to lead them into action on the day of voting?" Rev. F. R. Jeffries said he resented strongly the letter forwarded by the Alliance. Those who had been in the Prohibition fight for the last 30 years knew- the cause was in the position it now stood because of the muddling of the Alliance in the past. It was not fair that the Christian Church at a time of excitement should have such statements thrown at it. Rev. Evan R. Harries said that he could not see why the Church should not help to organise on the day of election. J P^, cV ; N ;-?- White said if the Christian Church did not enter into this fiaht practically, in many cases, the work on election day would not be done at all. ihe report was adopted, Mr. Tocker asking his dissent- to be recorded in respect to the words, "and in organti," to get voters to the booth on the daf of election." Mr. Tocker added, "I havl a higher sense of the function of the i Christian ministry."