THE PROHIBITION DEFEAT
CLERGYMAN'S VIEWS CHALLENGED.
AUCKLAND, Nov. 22
fit an editorial- bearing the heading "Prohibition and .Morals,” to-nighi/s "Star” says:—
“Yesterday the Otago and Southland .Methodist Synod met tit Dunedin and the chairman ol the district (the Rev. 11. E. Bel’house) in his annual address, commented on the deleat ot Prohibition tit the recent poll. According to .Mr Bed I house, the explanation of th. bade is the moral laxity or moral anarchy that has spread to New Zealand I'rom other countries as an aftermath < the war. The Prohibitionists, says the reverend gentleman, find themselves in the midst of a distinct moral slump, and it is this widely diflused demoralisation of the people that is chiefly responsible for the defeat of Prohinition.
“It seems to us that .Mr Bdl'ioiise’s remarks should not be allowed to pass without criticism or protest. We suggest to him and those who hold his views that one reason for tin* failure of their crusade is the peculiarly objectionable form of fanaticism by v. hioli bis words are inspired. On what principle and by Avliat right docs .Mr Bellhouse dare to assert that all who voted against Prohibition at the {lolls are inferior to him and his friends in their moral principles, or their moral perceptions, or their standards of personal conduct?
“The Prohibitionists should realise that, a very large proportion of those hostile to their doctrines are actuated bv a sense of moral duty and social responsibility quite as strong as their own. The anti-liquor party appear to have so far failed to realise that extremely gum.* social and moral dangers arc involved in any attempt to abolish the use of liquor by legislation, hut even if they are right in their opinions and their opponents are wrong, (hoy IniA’e no occasion to lay claim to an overwhelming and spiritual superiority The views expressed by Air Belllmuse are offensive, and can only do harm to the cause that the Prohibitionist admittedly has closely at heart.”'
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Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1928, Page 6
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331THE PROHIBITION DEFEAT Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1928, Page 6
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