"MORAL SLUMP."

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19482, 1 December 1928, Page 14

"MORAL SLUMP."

PRESBYTERIANS DISCUSS TEMPERANCE.

INTENSIVE CAMPAIGN URGED.

[THE PBSSS Special Service.]

AUCKLAND, November 30,

Temperance and the method of achieving it were again discussed by the Presbyterian General Assembly this morning, Professor Hewitson presiding. The Rev. A..S. Morrison (Rakaia) said that something more mnght 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. J'airgray (Devonport) said that 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 Rev. W. L. Marsh (Devonport) said that unless they went about their task m 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 had found hostility to Prohibition. The young folk wanted hard and intensive training. "We have lost the young people." he continued, "arid we want a nation-wide campaign on behalf or 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 th© 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 con- ' . . . - • The Rev. W. J. Comrie, chairman of the Standing Committee of the New Zealand Alliance, said they were lace to face with reconsideration of the whole position, and the Alliance executive had been called to meet - early m December. The whole position was being considered with the utmost care.