RECENT LICENSING POLL

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 50, 22 November 1928, Page 8

RECENT LICENSING POLL

“DISTINCT MORAL SLUMP” VIEWS OF REV H. E. BELLHOUSE Dominion Special Service. Dunedin, November 21. “We have to admit we have sustained a very staggering result in regard to the licensing poll—in fact, a debacle,” said the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse (chairman of the district), in the course of his annual address to the Otago-Southland Methodist Synod this morning. Explain it as they might, he thought that it could not be denied that they found themselves in the midst of a distinct moral slump. Many people were intimidated by the bogey of unemployment, and were afraid that if they cast their votes against continuance the unemployment now existent would be seriously increased. “We know that such would not be the case,” declared Mr. Bellhouse, “and that employment in other channels would be increased.” He could not help feeling that they were still suffering from the moral aftermath of the war. “The moral anarchy existing in older countries of the world is now, I believe, spreading out here,” continuexl Mr. Bellhouse, “and because of that moral laxity there lias been this terrific set-back to many of our hopes and expectations in connection with the recent licensing poll.”