THE QUIET PIPE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 58, 1 November 1912, Page 3

THE QUIET PIPE.

CONDEMNATION OF SMOKING. A declaration against smoking was made by the members of the Baptist Union Conference last week at Christchurch, when the following motion was carried: “That it be an instruction to the young people’s committee to bring prominently before the Sunday School superintendents, teachers of the Bible classes, and Christian Endeavour Societies, belonging to the denomination the desirability of impressing upon the children and young people under their charge the evil effects resulting from the use of tobacco, especially upon growing boys, and young men.” In moving the motion Mr Lambert said lie ‘had brought the matter forward in the interests of the young people. He said he regarded smoking as a great evil. It was another evil that had to be faced, and the sooner the church rose and dealt with this question the better. The motion was seconded by Mr Israel. Mr G. H. Mander said ho had never met a man who could say anything in favour of the use of tobacco. All they could say was, “1 like it.” Speaking

of ministers who sAiokcd, MT Mander asked why did they not smoke in the daylight if they enjoy their pipe so much. “I am sorry to hear,’ he continued, “that there are young men amongst us studying for the church who are smokers, and 1 think they should be advised ”

At this stage the president interrupted : “Do you want to spend the whole of the afternoon discussing this matter ?” A voice: If it will do away with smoking we do. “This is a perfectly unnecessary discussion, and we arc wasting the afternoon,” declared the Rev. J. K. Archer. Ho said he was an anti-smoker, and he thought smoking was a wasteful and extravagant habit, and for this reason he thought it was a waste of time to discuss the matter. Smokers, he said, would continue' to smoke, and he did not think this discussion would influence them.

The motion was supported by several other speakers, who contended that smoking was a great evil, and that i( was not necessary. Opium, alcohol, ami tobacco were very much akin, declarer! one speaker. On the motion being put it was carried unanimously.