TOTAL ABSTAINERS

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1945, Page 3

TOTAL ABSTAINERS

Methodist Enrolments MINISTERS DIFER P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 22. The North Canterbury Methodist Syiiod to-day discussed temperance and total abstinence clauses of its public questions committees report. There was a division of opinion among the Ministers on the systematic enrolment of total abstainers in all youth organisations and congregations. Rev. Raymond Dudley presented a statement ordered by the Dominion Conference defining “the historic position of the Methodist Church to the drink evil”; also urging temperance teaching was “factual, dispassionate and common-sense;” the systematic enrolment of total abstainers; and temperance education provided for in the curriculum of primary schools to.be regularly implemented. Rev. C. O. Hailwood said the reference to “systematic enrolment of total abstainers” 'savoured too much of an inquisition. He was not prepared to tabulate those of his congregation who did or did not . “smoke, go to the war, or have a spot.” It was an attempt to divide the people of the church into moral categories. After several speakers had supported this view, the clause was rejected on a fairly close vote. Rev. J. Dennis said he was troubled to find the amount of liquor consumed at many wedding breakfasts, often by people who should act differently. “We are compromising ourselves and our positions by lending ourselves to such functions,” he said. Rev. J. Watson, who recently' returned from service as a chaplain, during which he received the Military Cross, said he felt the church was attempting to teach the Government and the police their business, and to neglect its own job. “There have been protests about wet canteens in camps, and about celebrations on V.J. Day, and now I see they are snooping round in Dunedin to see the hotels are closed. These things may have their value, but .1 think we miss the bus in not devoting more of our energies to strengthening the convictions of our people.” The taking or leaving of drink was not. the prime care of the church. Rather it should see that human behaviour was kept within reasonable limits, Mr. Watson said. Mr. Dudley said he considered there were times when the church should speak out forthrightly. It was reasonable to ask the Government to enforce its own laws. The Synod adopted the recommendations of the public questions committee.