DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

Evening Star, Issue 23056, 7 September 1938, Page 7

DUNEDIN PRESBYTERY

LIQUOR TRAFFIC The growth of intemperance in the Dominion and the necessity for a united stand against the evil provoked a discussion yesterday at a meeting of the Dunedin Presbytery, which adopted an amended motion introduced by Dr E. N. Merrington. Dr Herrington's amended motion was as follows: —“ That in relation to the Prohibition issue at the forthcoming poll, ministers, office-bearers, and members of congregations, together with members of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union, take an active part in canvassing their own districts ahd establishing contact, as far as possible, with other local temperance workers.” The spiritual, economic, and moral harm caused by intoxicating liquor was deplored by Dr Merrington. The continuous and increasing consumption of drink behoved Presbytery to do what it could to combat this evil. Some people were afraid of Prohibition. When he was in America he encountered people who believed firmly that Prohibition had never been in America. It certainly seemed that New Zealand could have Prohibition, and a moral vote should be registered in relation to the problem of liquor in the Dominion. The Public Questions Committee _earnestly enlisted the support of ministers, congregations, and the P.W.M.U. in advancing the interests of the temperance cause. He moved his motion accordingly, the Rev. W. W. M'Arthur seconding. Because it was a question whether temperance was the best method of enforcing Prohibition, the Rev. H. J. Ryburn did not agree with the motion

with the inclusion of the word “ temperance.” He considered that to carry Prohibition in New Zealand by a bare majority would be the height of lolly, as about 50 per cent, of the people would be opposed to it. Dr Merrington agreed to alter his motion by substituting “ Prohibition ” for “ temperance ” in, the first portion of the motion, which was then carried.