CHRISTCHURCH SYNOD.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 334, 22 October 1908, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH SYNOD.

THE OPIUM TRADE. (BY TELEGRAPH—MESS ASSOCIATION.) Christchurch, October 21. At this afternoon's sitting of this Anglican Synod, tho Rev. B. G. Fox (for the Rev. G. H, Blackburno moved: —" (1) That this synod desires to express ; its admiration for the way in which the Government and people of China are endeavouring to rid themselves of the terrible evil of opium. The synod is deeply sensible of tho national sin and disgrace iu which the Indo-Chinese opium traffic involves the British Empire, and whilst thankful that, in response to China's appeal for co-operation, some means aro how being taken to_ limit the export of opium from India, this synod regrets that the steps authorised should be so gradual and tentative, and that it should be thought necessary to postpone for a number of years the final termination of a trade which the British House of Commons has twice', and on the last occasion unanimously,- declared to be morally indefensible. (2) That the bishop be respectfully requested to forward a copy of this resolution to tho Prime Minister of England and to the .Viceroy of India." Tho mover summarised the history of the British opium trade with China, he said had boon forced upon the Chinese against their will. He . said that l there was now a possibility of tho trade being stamped out, the British Government having arranged that, should the Chinese prove sincere, the traffio should cease in 1917. The Yen. Archdeacon Scott seconded and heartily supported tho . motion. Ho said it might soeni presumptuous for a portion of a small country to address the ( British' Prime Minister on the matter, bub they all belonged to one Empire, and that which brought disgrace upon one portion of the.Empire brought disgrace on all parts. The Rev. H. Williams, sen., said it did not follow that because a trade was bad it should be immediately abrogated. -The debate was interrupted by tho adjournment. Tho following motion will be discussed by the Synod on Friday:—"That the synod deplores tho large increase in tho number of convictions for drunkenness in the Dominion during the year; that the synod thankfully realises that drunkenness and its attendant evils have decreased in No : License districts; that the synod commends No-Licenso as the only available remedy at the present time for the grave and increasing evils of ance.