EARLY CLOSING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 700, 9 May 1916, Page 9

EARLY CLOSING.

SUPPORTED BY SYNOD.

AN INTERESTING DISCUSSION. The subject of early-closing of hotel liars during fhe period of the war, and the prohibition of "shouting," was discussed by the General Synod yesterday. The Bishop of Nelson moved:— (1) "That in the interests of religion and public morals this General Synod is of the opinion that during the continuance of the present war all licensed bars in hotels and clubs should be closed from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., and that (he custom of 'shouting' or 'treating' should be made illegal." (2) "That the foregoing resolution be sent to the Prime Minister." Bishop Sadlicr (Nelson) said that they were always threatened, in discussing such questions, with trench* iag on ground that did not belong to them. But there was a distinct relationship between morals and politics, lie had not accepted the platform of the Prohibitionist Party. One could not reform men by Act of Parliament, hut there was a side to which he wished to direct attention, and that was the side of public morals. The resolution did not name the soldiers, because our boys were no worse than any others. But their soldiers were subjected to-day to far greater temptations than others, because, having volunteered for active service, they were regarded as good fellows. He believed that if they, as a nation, not only expressed their repentance, hut showed it by some one act, they would demonstrate to the world that they were in earnest. England, France, and Russia had all taken drastic steps in dealing with drink. National efficiency had thereby been secured, and thrift encouraged. He also ([noted the action of the Commonwealth Minister of Internal Affairs, who had said thai there could be no cfliciency without speed, and there could be no speed with whisky—muddled brains. The Minister had threatened to dismiss any public servant found under the influence of liquor. The resolution which he moved was devised by the New Zealand Mothers' Union, a body belonging to their own Church. "Treating" was one of the evils of the day, and the traflic at the present time was subverting the morals of the community. We were doing nothing to encourage that thrift that was so necessary to the support of our soldiers, and he would appeal to the Synod, in the name of religion to carry the resolution. (Applause.) The motion was seconded by Mr J. Henderson. The Bishop of Wellington said that he was in accord with fhe resolution, but thought that the Synod should know that Mr Allen had told a deputation of ladies thai he had been advised by the police that if the bars were closed early, there were other places of a worse kind where men could get liquor. lie thought that if the bars were closed, some other provision should he made for the evening hours. He could emphatically assure Synod that there were worse places in Wellington than these bars, and they must do more than pass a mere negative motion. They needed £IOOO to make further provision in camp for the men. The resolution was carried unanimously.