"MORAL SLUMP."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 284, 30 November 1928, Page 8

"MORAL SLUMP."

PROHIBITION'S RECEDING TIDE. YOUNG PEOPLE LOST. PRESBYTERIAN CRITICISM. Temperance and the method of achieving it was again discussed by the Presbyterian General Assembly this morning, Professor Hewitson presiding. The Rev. A. S. Morrison (Rakaia) said something more might be done in regard to contesting licensing committee elections. The New Zealand Alliance no doubt made mistakes, but the members were wise men, doing their best. They had had to meet a moral slump in the community created by public apathy. Mr. W. Fairgray (Devonport) said unkind criticism had been levelled at the New Zealand Alliance, but without that organisation very little would have been done in the interests of temperance. The active interest so urgently needed had not been taken in the temperance question. The alliance should be assisted in every way. It needed the help and attention of the members of the Presbyterian Church. The Rev. W. L. Marsh (Devonport) said that unless they went about their task in a different spirit and with different machinery they would have to face a receding tide in regard to prohibition. In his own Bible class he hail found hostility to prohibition. The young folk wanted hard and intensive training. "We have lost the young people," he continued, "and we want a nation-wide campaign on behalf of temperance. It is going to be a big and long fight. Then we might win at the polls. I cannot say we will." The deliverance on temperance which originated the debate was adopted unanimously. It was also agreed that scientific temperance instruction for young people should be co-ordinated with the youth department, and that the Band of, Hope movement should be encouraged and continued. It was also resolved that the advisability of restoring local option should be considered. The Rev. W. J. Comrie, chairman of the Standing Committee of the New Zealand Alliance, said they were face to face with reconsidering the whole position, and the alliance executive had been called for early in December. The whole position was being considered with the utmost care. When it was suggested that the alliance should be thanked for its zealous work, Mr. Connie warned the Assembly ajrainst doinp anything that might be misunderstood,

The Moderator. Do you think they know we are grateful?