A VISIT TO AUSTRALIA.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1118, 4 May 1911, Page 2

A VISIT TO AUSTRALIA.

THE KEV. A. DEWDNEY INTERVIEWED. The Rev. A. Dowdncy, of the Brooklyn Baptist Church, who with the Rev. \V. Hay represented New Zealand at tho second Australasian Baptist Conference, liold recently in Melbourne, returned to Wellington by the Ulimaroa Inst evening. Mr. Dewdney states that one of tho chief matters discussed; at the conference was the proposed federation of tho Baptist Churches of Australasia. Though no definite point was reached, it was pretty well decided that tho Australian Churches would come together under one. union, but owing to the isolation of New Zealand tho Churches of the Dominion would preserve a separate entity, though, of course, working! in tho most friendly ■ way with the- federation- on tho other side. This conference sat in tho Collins Street Church, and all tho meetings wero largely attended. The work of the Church in Mclbourno -was flourishing, and judging from tho reports of tho ISO delegates present that was the case all over Australia. Questioned as to the progress of tho No-Lieense cause, Mr. Dowdney stated that ho was afraid that Victoria lagged behind the other States. Sn far they had no local option issue. All that existed was a Reduction Board, which visited the various districts nt intervals (o inquire into (ho inatler of licenses, and if it was decided to reduce their number (ho publicans who stitl retained their licenses were, called on (o contribute to a compensation fund for the benefit of those deprived of their licenses. The referendum campaign was in progress when Mr. Dowdney was in Mi-1-bouriie. Among the speakers groatly in demand by the "No" party was Mr. V. M. B. Fisher, M.l'., of Wellington, who was given a rough time by tho Labour people at several of tho meetings he addressed. Ho (Mr. Dowdnoy) was of opinion that tho advocates of "Yes" put; their caw very badly, making it altogether too involved a question for the ordinary man in tho street to grasp. The jxi'll created littlo interest in New South Wales, only '10 por cent, of tho clcotors voting on the issue.