NO LICENSE

Evening Star, Issue 16990, 12 March 1919, Page 8

NO LICENSE

CH U1 ST< 'HURCH PRESBYTERY'S STRONG APPROVAL.

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CHRISTCHURCH, March 11

At to-day's meeting of the ClrrißtchuTch Presbytery the Rev. J. Patterson reported that the Assembly had directed tho Temperance Committee to frame a Prohibition manifesto, a.ud this had been done. Tin 1 ideal was that tV manifesto fihoukl b' read from all pulpits on March. 20, and i'' money was available it should be printed and distributed. The which was adopted, recommended the licensing issue to the prayerful cnn?id"rr,tion <<■ church members, stating that must shoulder their own responsibility in lha exercise of their Christian iibciiy in tl'.i matter of voting. There was no argument, for the continuance of the liquor traffic. which had long since been proved a menace to the health of men's bodies, minds, and souls. It was economically unsound and morally dangerous. It continued to exist only because long-established custom had deadened the public conscience to its iniquity and folly. Although there was neither moral nor legal right to compensate those engaged in it if Prohibition were carried, yet the sums suggested to buy out " the trade" once and for al! would be a sound investment. Prohibition was the only sure remedy for the human and economic wastage caused by the liquor traffic. Members were warned against thinking that the next Referendum would afford a more favorable opportunity to -carry Prohibition, for the number of issues then to be submitted would so split the vote as to render it most unlikely that Prohibition could, be carried. The General Assembly had unanimously declared in favor of Prohibition, and o'very church member was urged to follow the lead of the supreme court of the Church.