YOUTH AND LIQUOR

Otago Witness, Issue 3205, 18 August 1915, Page 4

YOUTH AND LIQUOR

YOUNG PEOPLE’S CAMPAIGN. About 250 members of City Bible Class Unions, Christian Endeavour Societies, and Sunday school staffs attended an inter-de-nomination rally in the assembly hall of the Y.M.G.A. Building on the 10th, when definite action was agreed upon in connection with the campaign against the drink traffic. , Ihe Rev. Mr Jamieson, who presided, said that the object of those present was to declare the attitude of the young people of the Baptist, Congregational, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches on the subject, Youth and Liciuor.” During and alter the war there would be times of social unrest, and serious problems for the State would arise. If drink was the worst foe of the Empire, the Bible Class Unions and those with them intended to show that they were the deadliest foes of the drink traffic.—(Applause.) Every child had about | 16 years in which to acquire conviction, and the young people present intended to do everything towards teaching the rising generation the worst of all evils by commencing a permanent agitation against the drink.—(Applause.) Air Frazer Barton said ho was glad to see four churches allied and united to overi come the difficulties ahead. | Mr Stock (Baptist) moved “ That this I meeting of. Sunday school teachers, Chris? | Ban Endeavour workers, and Bible class members of the Baptist, Congregational, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches 'esolves to give temperance education a greater placq. in their regular work.” The mover spoke of the great temperance work that had been carried out, and urged that our young people should have even more education on the principles of temperance in future. i Mr D. C. Cameron, in seconding iho motion, said its adoption would dispose of the usual method of leaving activity in campaigns till near election time. Ho suggested that two illustrative lectures a year on the medical and other aspects of drink should bo given annually to massed gatherings of Sunday school scholars. He thought that the Government’s laxity ui not taking drastic action to deal with iho drink traffic at this juncture was a standing disgrace to it. Miss Donovan (Presbyterian) spoke a few words in support of the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Air J. H. Wilkinson moved: —“That ibis meeting urges all young men and women to become total abstainers for the sake of Christ’s Kingdom and for the sake of oar Empire, and, moreover, we urge the unions here represented to begin at once a definite effort to secure life pledges from the Bible class members and senior scholars of their respective churches.” The mover gave an address on the linos followed bv previous speakers, stating that drink was the giant curse and hindrance to the nation, especially in the prosecution of this groat war. Mr Stanley Wilkinson (Presbyterian) seconded the motion on behalf of the young men, Sl.’ster Mildred (Alethodist), a recent arrival from Home, supported it. —The motion was carried unanimously. The Rev. R. S. Gray gave an address, endorsing what had been said, and stating that the churches wore speaking with no undivided voice on the question. One thing must lie done, and that was that wc had to beat. Germany.—(Applause.) The speaker then read clippings dealing with Russia’s abolition of the drink. N The biggest menace to the world in future would bo the sober race, and that was Russia, which was already saving 180 million pounds annually, in comparison with about the same amount spent on drink by _ Britain. He ventured to say that the nation dare not deal with the traffic, because of the latter’s power and influence.