PROHIBITION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5338, 16 August 1895, Page 4

PROHIBITION.

DEBATE IN THE SYNOD. A LETTER FEOM MR ISITT. At the afternoon sitting of the Diocesan Synod ' yesterday, the President (Bishop Julius) announced that he had received a letter from the Rev F. W. Isitt, which required the attention of Synod. He read the letter, whioh was as follows : — " On behalf of the Christehurch Prohibition League, of which I am president, I beg respectfully to ask whether the Synod will accord me an opportunity to lay before them, at any hour that suite their convenience, a brief statement of the aims of the Prohibition Party, with any time limit for the address and answers to questions thereon that the Synod may itself determine. I present the request on the grounds — that the eubjeot is one of great importance; that the aims of the prohibitioniets are ao often lost sight of in condemnation of some of their methods, that they are greatly misunderstood, and that the League believes that the sympathy of the churches is evoked as the objects of the movement become more clearly understood, — I am, &c, F. W. Isitt." The President asked the Synod to consider the letter at once, so that he could i reply as early as possible. He thought the 1 Rev Mr Isitt should be heard by the Synod on condition that no debate should be allowed. Sir John Hall said he was not a member of the Prohibition League, and he did not agree with the views of some of its leaders. He thought, however, that the Synod might agree to hear what Mr Isitt had to say in regard to the aims of the Prohibition League. He moved — "That this Synod will be willing to hear an address from the Rev Mr Isitt, as requested by him, on the understanding that no questions may be asked." The Very Rev the Dean seconded the motion. He did not agree with the prohibitionists, bufc he thought the Synod should' accede to Mr Isitt'a request. The Rev W. A. Pascoe (Avonside) said the Synod should pause before granting this request. Most of the members of Synod were conversant with the objects, aims and methods of the Prohibition Party, and the Synod would not, he thought, gain anything by hearing Mr leitt. The objects of the prohibitionists had been very clearly set forth in the public newspapers, and everyone was conversant with them. If the Syncd agreed to this request, other organisations might very well claim to put their claims before the Synod. He would oppose the motion. - - The Rev A. W. Averill (St Michael's) opposed the motion. The Yen Archdeacon Cholmondeley said he was not a prohibitionist, bnt he honoured the Prohibition Party for their zeal and earnestness in the matter they had in hand. As a matter of courtesy, he thought the Synod should grant the request of the Rev Mr Isitt; Members of Synod were, perhaps, aware of the objeota of the Prohibition Party, but he would be very sorry if the Synod declined, to errant this request. * The Rev L. C. Brady (Otaio) said this request was a very serious one for the Synod to consider. He was not a prohibitionist, and he had no intention of becoming a prohibitionist, bat at the same time he hoped the Synod would act courteously towards Mr Isitt, and grant his request. They might not all agree with Mr Isitt's views on prohibition, but that was no reason why they should refuse to hear him. He would support the motion on . the distinct understanding that not a single question should be asked. One question would, naturally lead to another question, and the fat would be in the fire at once. The Rev T. Farley (Temuka) said he would like to know whether they had come there to hear Mr Isitt or anybody else deliver an address on prohibition, or whether they had met to consider matters connected with the Church. He did not want to hear Mr ißitt. He had heard him twice, and did not want to hear him again. They had come there to transact their own business, and not to listen to lectures on prohibition. He wonld strongly oppose the m»tion. Mr H. D. Andrews endorsed the remarks of the Rev T. Farley. They had not come there to hear Mr Isitt lecture on prohibition, and he thought the Synod would not be acting discourteously to Mr Isitt by declining his request. . The Rev T. J. Smyth (Akarqa) said the prohibitionists were engaged in a good cause, and the Synod might very well allow Mr Isitt to explain the aims of his '■ party. He wonld support the motion. | The Rev J. Preston (Geraldine) said he : would be in favour of granting Mr Isitt's ! request if it could be arranged that Mr I Isitt should deliver bis address outside 1 Synod hours. He would oppose any motion to allow Mr Isitt to deliver an address in Synod hours. Mr H. S. Webb said he was not a prohibitionisfc, and he did not agree with all Mr Isitt said. As a matter of courtesy, however, the Synod should grant Mr IsittV request. . '....■ . The Rev H- ■Williams (Sfc Albans) &Bked if it was wise for the Synod to commence receiving deputations. If it was wise to receive deputations; then this request of Mr Isitt's had a very good claim on the Synod. " • Mr H. W. Bishop said he would object to this proposal of Mr Isitt's. He apprehended that every member of the Synod knew the aims of the Prohibition Party by this time, and he did not think members would gain much by hearing Mr Isitt. As a churchman he had always supported anything in the direction of reducing the liquor traffic, but he would say at once t^hat he did not approve of the methods adopted by the Prohibitionists in the cause they were engaged in. The members of the Synod would have an opportunity at a later period of expressing their opinions on the temperance question, but he would strongly objeot to the Synod viewing this question through the spectacles of Mr Isitt or any member of his party. Sir John Hall having replied, the President put the motion, whioh was lost on a division by 36 to 38. : The following is the division list: — Ayes— Clergy (26) : Revs W. S. Bean, J. E. Blackburne, £. N. Blakiatoo,L. C. Brady, P. J. Cocks, W. Cruden. H. E. East, F. P. Fendall, H. H. S. Hamilton, T. A. Hamilton, F. A. Hare, W. Harper, S. Hinson, J. Holland, F. Knowles, H, H. Mathias, J. Preston, H.T. Purchas, H. Purchas, E. A. Scott, T. J. Smytfe., H. Williams, and R. A. Woodthorpe, the Yen Archdeacon Cholmondeley, Yen Archdeacon Harper, the Dean of Chriatchuroh. Laity (10) : Messrs C. E. Bevan-Brown, A. F. N. Biakiston, E. Denham, W. C. Fendall, C. Flutey, T. Gordon, T. Hughes, T. J. Maling, H. R. Webb and Sir John Hall. Noes.— Clergy (16)— Revs A. W. Averill, 0, Opates, H. E. Eneor, T, Farley, A. S. Fox, R. F. Garbett, H. J. 0. Gilbert, M'K. Gibson, H. G. Hawkins, Ven Archdeacon Lingard, Revs T. A. Meyer, W. A. Pascoe, J. Sheldon, J. W. Stack, J. F. Teakle, W. T. P. Winter. Laity (22)— Messrs H. D. Andrews, J. M. Batham, H. W. Bishop, A. R. Bloxam, W. G. Brittan, J. Curtis, G. Dunnage, B. H. Fiaher, W. H. Hargreaves, R. J. S. Harman, J. M. Heywood, W. Jameson, E. Just, G. Mayo, W.N.Moore, B. Mountfort, H. N. Nalder, H. Slater, ». Thomas, B. B. Webb, P. Westenra and A. C. Wilson.