LIQUOR FOR ABORIGINES

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29891, 3 August 1962, Page 14

LIQUOR FOR ABORIGINES

Churches Warn On N.S.W. Step (N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) SYDNEY. August 1. The New South Wales Cabinet’s decision to legislate for equal drinking rights for aborigines in New South Wales has had a mixed reception by churches. The Rev. Gordon Powell, of St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, said: “This is a very risky tiling to do. If it is done I suggest that it be for a trial period of no longer than 12 months." The president of the Baptist Union of New South Wales (the Rev. J. B. Wilson): "There can be no question that aborigines are entitled to every right of citizenship. But it is hoped they will be helped to cope with this doubtful privilege.’’ The editor of the Australian Baptist newspaper, the Rev. lan Emmett: “You don’t make a man a citizen merely by giving him the right to drink intoxicating liquor. Let’s tackle the whole problem of citizenship in its widest implications." The public relations officer for the Church of England, the Rev. K. Roughley, said the church had never favoured any increased facilities for drinking, no matter whom it might be for. The secretary of the N.S.W Temperance Alliance. Mr O. A. Piggot, said the move was a “shocking backward step.”