Methodists Urge Strict Policing Of Liquor Laws

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27444, 2 September 1954, Page 5

Methodists Urge Strict Policing Of Liquor Laws

The New Zealand Methodist Conference should draw the Government’s attention to the widespread disregard for the law requiring 6 o’clock closing by hotels, said the Rev. I. K. Hopper at yesterday’s session of the North Canterbury District Synod of the Methodist Church. Mr Hopper was presenting the recommendations of the temperance committee, which were approved by the synod for consideration by the New Zealand Conference in November. Widespread disregard of the licensing laws was indicated in the evidence placed before the Commission of Inquiry into the Police Force, and the Government should be called on to have the present laws effectively and adequately enforced, said Mr Hopper. Other recommendations which were approved, and for which the endorsement of the conference will be sought, were as follows:

“That all Methodists be urged to accept and adhere to the standard of total abstinence from all alcoholic beverages, and to set before the world an uncompromising example in refusal to accept such beverages on any occasion. “That the church be increasingly diligent in the instruction of young people concerning the menace of alcohol. “That the people of Methodism exercise a consecrated Christian citizenship in the struggle to control, and ultimately to abolish the licensed trade.” After-hours Trading •‘Published reports of evidence on the enforcement of licensing laws havei indicated three things,” said Mr Hopper presenting the report of the committee. “First, after-hours trading is widespread both in town and country; there is a minority group constantly pressing to have evening trade legalised, though 6 o’clock closing was endorsed by a vote of 75.5 per cent, as recently as 1949; and certain licensees have said that they trade after hours in order to meet their financial obligations. Such a position suggests that the trade ought to be taken out of the hands of private enterprise, with its inevitable profit motive, and placed under a form of trust control.

“The last quarter-century has witnessed a declining interest in the standard of total abstinence, and a steady increase in liquor consumption,” said Mr Hopper. “The moral temperature of society with regard to drink and its consequences has lowered considerably, and it would appear that the number of Methodists who defend the use of alcohol, in moderation, is in-t creasing. , “The quantity of liquor consumed has increased alarmingly,” said Mr Hopper. “The figure was 11,649,987 gallons in 1914, and rose to 37,122.717 gallons in 1951. It would appear that the number of people who drink shows a corresponding increase, while the amount a head of population has risen from 7.14 pints absolute alcohol in 1914 td 11.76 pints in 1951. “In view of these facts, and of the known relationship of alcoholic drink to lowered moral standards, it is imperative .that the standpoint of the Methodist Church with regard to alcoholic drink should be clearly stated, and her people called to a new sense

of responsibility in the matter,” Mr Hopper said. “Alcoholic liquor is an enemy of Christian citizenship,” said Mr Hopper. “It induces irresponsiblity, delinquency, and crime. It is an undoubted factor in the disintegration of marriage and the consequent suffering of children. It is a prime cause of industrial inefficiency. It turns happy social occasions into scenes of coarse and disordered revelry. It is a principal factor in the ever-mounting toll of road accidents. It causes physical ill-health and leads to mental as well as moral breakdown. “It is not enough to say that we should be temperate and disciplined in the use of a thing productive of so much evil,” Mr Hopper said. “The situation calls for Christian example in uncompromising refusal to accept alcoholic beverage, not only ip hotel bars, but also at social functions, weddings, sports gatherings, and festive occasions, or to permit it in our homes, or to partake of it in the homes of others. “The menace of such a stumbling block to the young and the weak, as the licensed trade, must exercise the mind and conscience of Christ’s Church. No young person should be allowed to grow up without a clear knowledge of the dangers of alcohol. There must also be constant political pressure for more effective control of the conditions under which alcoholic liquor is manufactured and sold. “The ultimate solution will be the total removal of the licensed trade, which, as long as it is allowed to continue, reflects a serious measure of irresponsibility on the part Of mam toward himself, his. neighbour and his God. The Church of Jesus ‘ Christ must lead, and continue to lead public opinion toward the goal which, so nearly attained in 1911 and' 1919, seems discouragingly remote at the present time, 1 ’ Mr Hopper said.

WELLINGTON SYNOD RESOLUTIONS

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 1. The annual synod of the Methodist Church of New Zealand today decided to recommend to the Government that electors throughout the country be given the opportunity to decide by vote whether the licensed trade should continue under private enterprise or State control. Mr C. J. Freeman (Wellington central) said that the Church should appeal to all its members, especially those in no-licence areas, to vote against restoration. “There must also be constant political pressure for more effective control of the conditions under which alcohol is manufactured and sold,” said the Rev. E. E. Sage (Carterton). “We, as members of Christ’s Church, must exercise our Christian citizenship, vigorously and forcefully, with a definite view to easing the burden of temptation that confronts the weaker and younger members of our society.” It was also decided that the forthcoming conference .urge all Methodists to accept and adhere to the standard of total abstinence from all alcoholic beverages, and to set before the world an uncompromising example in refusal to accept such beverages on any occasion.