SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

Otago Witness, Issue 3304, 11 July 1917, Page 38

SIX O'CLOCK CLOSING

MEETING OF PRESBYTERIAN CONGREGATIONS. A devotional and intercessory service, under the auspices of the Presbyterian Assembly's Temperance Committee, was held at Knox Church on the 4th in connection with the agitation for 6 o'clock closing. The Rev. A. Cameron presided, and associated with him were the Revs. Professor Plewitson, R, E. Davies, G. H. Balfour, H H. Barton, W. G. Dixon, and Messrs A. H. Grading and G. M. Thomson. The object of the meeting was, in the main, to pass a resolution in favour of 6 o'clock closing and to discuss the question in detail. In the absence of the Rev. Professor Dickie, M.A., Mr Balfour took control of the motion. He moved the following resolution:—" That this united meeting of the Dunedin congregations of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand demands of Parliament that the liquor bars shall be closed between the hours of 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., as the be»t measure of liquor restriction necessary for securing efficiency during the war." The motion was seconded by Mr Thomson, who expressed himself as entirely in accord with the sentiments of the mover, and carried by acclamation. Members of Chalmers Church were unablo to attend the united meeting owing to a congregational gathering which had been previously arranged. At this gathering, which was attended by about 100 people, a resolution similar to that submitted at Knox Church was heartily and unanimously adopted, and will be forwarded to the Prime Minister and the member for the district.