LIQUOR TRAFFIC

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21817, 21 November 1940, Page 4

LIQUOR TRAFFIC

Coping With Abuses Suggestions To Methodist Synod By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, November 20. “Can it be said that the church has jeven attempted all that It might have done with regard to the liquor traffic?’’ This question was asked in the Welfare of the Church committees’ report submitted to the Methodist Synod to-day. “In dealing with such an evil,” stated the report,” surely some such procedure as the following is advisable: (a) The gathering of accurate information regarding drunkenness, accidents caused through drink, after hours trading, dance hall drinking, the extent to which the police force is implicated, if at all, etc. (b) The devising of means to combat every form in which the evil manifests itself. Some means are obvious, e.g., picketing of hotels; prosecution, after information laid, for after hours trading; the production of suitable literature, the education of public opinion, the besieging of those in authority until Christian action results. “If it be argued that the above is not the work of a conference committee,” the report continued, “it can only be replied that it is at least the work of the Church as a whole, that it is someone's duty to put it forward and that unless some such practical procedure is employed it is sheer waste of time to discuss the matter at all. Our present methods have not even moved the ministry to effective action, let alone the rank and flic of our church. Let us take care that the mere passing of the resolution is not a pious dereliction of duty.” Synod rejected the committee’s observations because it felt that the subject was one which was already being dealt with by the public questions committee. It was also considered unnecessary to record the proposals as they were largely common sense.