THE ARCHBISHOP'S LETTER.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1303, 5 December 1911, Page 6

THE ARCHBISHOP'S LETTER.

Reply by the alliance.. In connection with tho announcement made by the lioman Catholic clergy on Sunday warning their people to 'vote against Proliibitior, the New Zealand Alliance Executive n.:t yesterday mornjng, when tho following resolution was unanimously adopted:— "l'hat (his executive has road with deep regret the circular letter of Archbishop Redwood 4 advising Eoman Catholics to vote against National Prohibition, on the grounds that possibly tho repeal of the clause allowing alcoholic wino for sacramental purposes may follow tho success of National Prohibition.

"We notico with- pleasure that tho said declaration does not touch the issuo of No-License, as 110 question of (ho need for any exemption for sacramental or other purposes con arise under that issue. "The executive desires it to bo understood that til" party has not onlv not entertained any such idea, but luis. on the contrary, given substantial evidence to tho contrary. "•The executive has taken a strong line safeguarding religious convictions. When (he dratt of the famous 'cornpact' was presented to the Alliance it. did not curtain a provision covering the saeramcatal question. The New Zealand Alliance a'Ssolutcly rcfc.vod to prccced unless the proviso were inserted, and Sir Joseph Ward declared that unless tho New Zinland Alliance's <len);md were acquiesced in ho would not proceed with the Bill. The dejuite exemption cf sacramental wine from tho operation of National Prohibition was then inserted. Tho law expressly provides that if National Prohibition is carried (fiwiion 21, clause

Nolhmg 111 this section shall extend or apply to tho importation, manufacture, or sale in aceorda'iee with regulations made by tho Uov-eniov-in-Couneil in that' behalf of intoxicating liquor for medicinal, scientific, sacramental, or industrial purposes exclusively.' "The Archbishop's dictum is an inference from tbe following statement attributed to tile Rev. Mr. Hammond—'When we carry Prohibition, a few years after we v;ill have the. majority of people educated to the extent that the (lectors will tarow alcohol out for medicinal purposes; the churches will not use it for sacramental purposes (as, indeed, my own church docs not now); and it will not be necessary tor industrial purposes.' "Mr. Hammond .anpeavs personally to contemplate a revision by the medical profession, by t.ho Church, and by the manufacturing interest of thflil'' present use of alcohol. Such a revision voluntarily mado by tho interested parties themselves ES. the very opposite of a tyrannical luvasrojLof the rights of conscience. "Tho executive is satisfied that it speaks for the wholfc of the No-License party when it aedlnros that that party would never carry tho principle of Prohibition to such lengths as would interfere with the rights of conscience of our Roman Catholic fellow-citizens or of any other religious body, but would, on tho contrary, oppose any such extension aa n violation of tho principles of religious liberty."

The Mayor invites tho cilizoiis of Wellington to observe a half-holiday on Thursday next, being election day, 111 lieu ol Wednesday. The Minister for Justice (Sir John Findlay) informed an Auckland "Slav" representative on Saturday morning that ho had instructed tho iiolico to commence the patrol of the harbour for (ho protection of yachts niid yachtsmen's property, and that this patrol would bo made in a special launch. In accordance with the promiso of the Minister, the harbour will bo rami ' rrf l> u ' :lr hour;, ever;' week, 1 lio telegraph office has received notification that the cablo rate on all British and colonial Government messages vin lvastoni to all stations in Brazil has been reduced by 7Jd. a word.

A demonstration of ITeinz Pure Food Products is now being hold at the Wairarana rnrmcrs' Co-op. Association. Ltd., Lambton Quay, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ino management give a cordial invitation to ail householders to call and uauiplo tieoo dainty goods.—Advt,