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Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1931, 14 October 1874, Page 2

The Anglican Diocesan Synod of Dunedin at its recent session took into consideration amongst other matters the question of "the best means of checking intemperance," and it ia hot uninteresting to note the differences of opinion expressed by the members \ipon the subject- of restrictive legislation. The Rev. Mri; Stanford appears to have raised the question by a series of , resolutions, the first of which was—" That the principle of total abstinence from alcoholic liquors is not the best means of checking the crying evil of

intemperance, inasmuch a3 it is not a method suited to the needs of the majority, and is in its nature inapplicable to a a great variety of characters and constitutions, although wholesome discipline for habitual drunkards." To this an amendment was carried, moved by the Hon. Major Richardson, affirming an entirely opposite opinion — "That the principle of total abstinence from alcoholic liquors is I among the best means of checking t^J| crying evil of intemperance, inasmuch it is a method suited^tggjjlsk, needs of thosfrT who are not strong e'r^i^lrto resist temptation from excess." The gallant major however, was frank enouefa to say that with all liis admiration for temperance societies, and such like organisations, "he liked his beer, and something after his beer when the evening was well advanced." Mr Stanford's next resolution was as follows — " That restrictive legislation, whether hy means of a Permissive Bill, or by the adoption of more stringent measures, is not likely to effect the cure of the intemperate or hinder the weak from falling before temptation ; while it has been shown by experience to induce the vice of hypocrisy as well as such other evils as a wide spread contempt and disregard of the law of the land." An amendment by Major Richardson was lost, but a further amendment by the Rev. Mr Penny was carried after a division — " That restrictive legislation, whether by means of a Permissive Bill or by the adoption of more stringent methods, however particularly beneficial, is not likely to effect the cure of the intemperate, or hinder the weak' from falling into temptation.