PROTESTS BY BAPTISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18534, 19 October 1923, Page 8

PROTESTS BY BAPTISTS.

INCREASE OF GAMBLING.

"SURPLUS RACING OLUBS."

[BY TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION*] WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Now Zealand Baptist Conference, at its sittings to-day, resolved that -the attention of the Government be • called to the necessity for psychopathio or observation wards in connection with public hospitals or receiving homes, apart from mental hospitals, for those suspected of teins incipiontly insane.

A protest was lodged against any increase of gambling facilities in New Zealand, and *be conference further recorded a protest against the failure oil the Government to suppress surplus racing clubs, as recommended by the Racing Commission in 1921.

In # view of the recent decision of Mr.. Jusftice Sim, at TnvoroargiMf, Whereby Sunday schools wero held to be liable to pay rates -while convent and other sectarian primary and secondary schools e exempt, the conference resolved to urge the Government to repeal tho clause in the Rating Act, 1908, under which the decision was given, and to declare its policy' in relation to rating of properties used exclusively for religious purposes. The conference affirmed its steadfast allegianco to prohibition as tho only satisfactory solution of the liquor evil, and declared that a sense of plain justice demands that this issue,, which, had commanded considerable majority votes for many years, should bo submitted to tho electors unprejudiced. by any third issue, or, failing this, that the issue receiving the largest vote become.: law. The conference urged upon their whole constituency the desirability of fostering temperance and the prohibition sentiment among their young" people, and of furthering in every way the continuous campaign inaugurated by the New Zealand Alliance. Tho conference also passed a resolution viewing with grave concern the encroachments being continually made upon the Lord's Day, especially in the way of pleasure.