CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13032, 16 February 1911, Page 4

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC. [United Press Association.] Bunedinj Fiab 15. At tile Congregational Union Conference torday the Rev it. McNaughton moved tliat in view of the forthcoming triennial poll and of the increased facilities provided by recent legislation for dealing effectively with the licensed liquor traffic the council urge ministers and churches of tiie ■ order to earnest effort,in the hope that as speedily as possible abolition of the traffic which is one- of the greatest obstacles in tho way of social and religious progress may bo brought about; and the council suggests to churches the desirability of affording every opportunities for ministers to render special service, to thci cause of temperance during the latter half of the Tlie Rev B. L. Thomas seconded the motion, which was carried unanimousIt was resolved to strongly urge upon the churches the absolute necessity for the men of the churches taking a lar"-er interest in the denominational affairs, a.nd that there be sent to the annual meetings of the council a larger proportion of male, representatives. . , The London Missionary Society s report stated that the amounts contributed during the year were: Auckland £202, Wellington £284, Canterbury £108 10s sd, Otago £348 9s lOd; total £943 0s 3d. The report urged the appointment of a Ngw Zealand committee for the examination of candidates. , _ The report was adopted and the llcv Mr Hunt was appointed the Union s representative on the Society. The Rev W. Saunders moved that the council tako into serious consideration the question of limiting the number of paid delegates to each council, or that the council meetings bheld every second year. Mr Saunderb pointed out that the expenses ot the council ware out of all proportion to the revenue. He believed it possible that £50 a year might be saved. A report was read which stated that the expense of tho council meetings amounted to £100, about one-seventh of the revenue. It was moved that only one halt the. fare bo paid to delegates. The discussion was adjourned till to-morrow. The R«v. D. Herd (Palmerston North) read a paper on the opium traffic. After tracing the history of tho traffic he moved that tho Imperial Government bo urged without delay to formally release China from the treaty obligations to admit opium, and that the Indian Government's connection with the opium export bc< terminated. The motion was carried unanmously. In the evening a conversazions was held.