CHURCH AND THE VOTER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19149, 15 October 1925, Page 14

CHURCH AND THE VOTER

CRITICISM OF ALLIANCE. OBJECTION TO A LETTER. A "PIECE OF IMPERTINENCE." At a meeting of the Auckland Presbytery, criticism of the New Zealand Alliance was expressed by several members, during a discussion on the coming licensing poll. Mr. L. Falkner, the Auckland president of the New" Zealand Alliance, .had given a brief address, He said he considered the prohibition cause had a fighting chance this time, especially if the Christian Church assumed its full responsibilities. What was needed was to arouse the people in the churches from that deadly apathy which often spelled defeat. Ho then retired from the room. After the Rev. H. L. Hunt had submitted the Temperance Committee's report, making various suggestions with regard to the campaign, including organisation to rouse interest in the poll on ejection day, the Ilev. C. J. Tocker asked whether this latter decision meant, that his church would be responsible for getting people to the poll from a certain area. If it did, then it would not be done. The Christian Church had greater functions to perform than carrying people to the booths on election day. Personally he resented a letter sent round the churches by the alliance, and bearing the signature of Mr. Falkner. It was a piece of impertinence, as well as misguided policy. They were, just about tired of the Church being attacked in this matter. It should be left to do its own work, which was to stir up the consciences of the people and attend to spiritual matters. The. Rev. G. W. Blair said ho considered the letter, in referring to "the criminality of the Church," had not been wise. In reply to a query by the Rev. Lamb Harvey as to why, when they had preached prohibition to the people, they should refuse to lead them into action on the day of voting, the Rev. F. R. Jeffries said he strongly resented the letter forwarded by the alliance. Those who had been in the prohibition fight for the last 30 years knew the cause was in the position where it now stood because of the muddling of the alliance in the past. It was not fair that the Christian Church at a time of excitement should have such statements thrown at Rev. Evan R. Harries protested that, ho could not see why the Church should not help to organise on the day of the election. The Rev. In. O. White was of much the same opinion. He said if the Christian Church did not enter this fight the work on election day would practically not be done at all in many cases. The report was adopted, Mr. locker rpquesting that his dissent ho recorded in respect to the words, "and in organising to set- voters to the booth on the dav of election." He added, "I have a higher sense of the function ot the | Christian ministry." | —„—. 'T'—r—