DR. GRIMES AND PROHIBITION

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9024, 9 February 1895, Page 8

DR. GRIMES AND PROHIBITION

The Revs. F. W. Isitt and J. Dawsou, Mrs Newton, Miss Gordon and Messrs Robertson, Robinson, Cole and Wake, representatives of the prohibition movemonl, waited upon his Lordship Bishop Crimea at the Catholic Presbytery yesterday evening. The Rev. F. W. I-itt said that tho deputation dc3ired to ask how far they could rely upon the B3 T mpathy and co-operation of Bishop Grimes iv their temperance work. Bishop Giumes said that mo one deplored the evils of imempcranco more than he and hi 3 Church did, and they did all in their power to try and put a stop to it. Thoy had a society called the Lcaguo of the Cross, where the pledge was given, and alt they could do was done to get the people to live soberly. But the mere pledge was not suiiicient, unless people attead ;<l to " their duties ats members of the Church. If they did that then ho was nob afraid of their falling away. He was afraid that' there would be difficulty in united action, because they wcro agreed than their people ■uusb attend the eacramonts, and that was where they had the stroug hold over them. , If each Church were to iusiat upon the people doing their duty towards God aud the Church it would be found easier to counteract the evil. The deputation entered into a discussion on prohibition aud its effects, after which Tho Rev. Mr Isitt asked if his Lordship would pronounce against the traffic. Bishop Grimes replied that he would not like to in a general way, became it involved some serious questions. He did not take strong urink, bub it did not follow that others should not take a glass of wine if they chose. He deplored us mucii as any one the abuse of drinking, and he had been informed that the colonials were not givon to ■drinking. ' . Tho Rev. Mr Isitt said he was afraid that that was a popular fallacy. Ho was assured that of those who frequented the hotels very many were young men from 17 to 25 years of a«e. . Bishop Guimks answered that if these young men were to attend to their religious duties it would be bettor for them. The Rev. Mr Isitt said that the difficulty was that tho irreligious and intemperate habi'.e were sapping the manhood of the nation. Bishop Gniiircs replied that tho system of freethought and bo on, and the circulation of corrupt iueniture was doing an immense deal of harm, 110 was afraid that if a too drastic method were adopted the result would be failure. . -v ' , The Rev. Mr Isitt swd they desired that the people should havo the control of the traffic, and say whether it should be suppressed or not. ■■_'...■ Bishop Grimes said their Bishops as a rula abstained »s an example to their people, aud many priests abstained also, bub they were not pledged to do so. If they were to rally.round him and say, " We will take nothing, aud will urge our: people to give up drinking," he would cay, "Iα God's name let us try and put down this growing evil." But he was afraid it would not be done.

The Ray. Mr Isitt said they were bope-. ful to have it by Uio new,century. Ho would like to ask if thoy might be allowed facilities, with his Loidehip'u approval, to address Catholic audiences and put forward the reasons for urging thorn to abstain from the ÜBo of liquor. Bishop Giumes said he would consult the Vicar-Geueral, who was administrator, on tho snbject. Personally, he' had no, objection, bat. care would have to be taken over what was to Jbe said.. For instance, it would bo wrong lo.eay that drink .was an evil, because thoy held * that in. itself dfiuk was not an evil. '. , ' The Rev. Mr Isitt said if they were allowed iho facilities asked, they would bo careful in the selection of their speakers. He was quite prepared to admit that a glass of wme per se was harmless. lfc was when it was duwu tho throat that the harm was done. After a little further conversation the deputat ion thanked Bishop Grimes for tho interview and withdrew.