THE PRESBYTERY AND PROHIBITION.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18129, 19 July 1924, Page 14

THE PRESBYTERY AND PROHIBITION.

tO THE EDITOB Of "THE CUSS." . Sir;—:our attention having, been' drawn to the publication in your paper of July 3rd of the proceedings of the Dunedin Presbytery of July Ist, which was forwarded to you by special correspondent, and headed: "Church and Drink.—Dunedin Presbytery Debate.— Hostility 4o Alliance," we find ourselves compelled in fairness to your readers to point out that in our opinion your special correspondent has conveyed a wrong impression, viz., that the Presbytery of Dunedin as a body is opposed to; or unsympathetic with, the New Zealand Allianee. The report, \as published in your paper, gives some selected statements made by three members only, and thesa members of the Presbytery voiced criticism of the Alliance and the Alliance methods, while a majority of the members of the Presbytery are in sympathy with the Prohibition cause, and uphold the work of the New Zealand Alliance. -" The following motion was. submitted by the convener of the Temperance Committee, Rev. R. L. Walker:—"The Presbytery regarding the liquor traffic as a fertile source of physical and moral evil, social misery, and economic waste, calls upon the members of thj congregations within its bounds by, their, example and influence to further the cause of total abstinence and ' national Prohibition." This motion was carried by an overwhelming majority, the Rev. H. Maclean, Rey. : W. Trotter, and Mr Gow being the only members who voted against it. Also that, the following resolution, .'again moved <by the convener of the Temperance Committee, and seconded by the Rev. Hector Maclean: "That this Presbytery is in sympathy with the New Zealand Alliance in its aim to abolish the liquor traffic," was carried unanimously. Thirdly, that the/motion: '/That the Presbytery recommends the work of the Alliance to the financial support of the Church," was referred to the Temperance Committee.

We desire also to point out that the Bev. E. L. Walker (convener of the Temperance Committee), Bev. Tulloch Yuille (Moderator), Bev. J. Kilpatrick /clerk of Presbytery), Mr Prentice, and Mr R, D. Poison aU spoke strongly in favour of the Presbytery according support to the Alliance. We desire to make it clear to your readers that the Presbytery, by a large majority; supports the national Prohibition- campaign, and recognises the New Zealand Alliance as the accredited organisation of the Prohibition cause. We therefore desire to • state that the report published'in your issue, and above referred to, contains the statements of the minority of three, and that the said report does not adequately convey the impression that the Dunedin Presbytery is strongly supporting the Prohibition campaign and the New Zealand Alliance,- which is the true position. We shall be obliged if you will give this, statement space in your valuable paper.—Yours, etc., ••■ ■ \ . BOBT. L. WALKEE, TULLOCH YUILLE, FINLAY MACRAE BEATTIE, GEOBGE MILLER, JOHN MILLEB, BOBEBT FAIBMAID, GEOBGE" H. JTJPP, E. N. MOBNINGTON, HENRY A. BABTON, JAMES CUMMING, B. B. M. SUTHERLAND, ALEX. M. DALBYMPLE, DAVID CALDEB, Members of the Dunedin Pres- ; bytery. . . _ • Duuedin, Jul/ 17tl)>