YOUNG PEOPLE SAID TO BE DEVELOPING HABIT OF DRINKING

Wanganui Chronicle, 31 October 1946, Page 6

YOUNG PEOPLE SAID TO BE DEVELOPING HABIT OF DRINKING

ASSEMBLY DISCUSSION Concern at the number of young people who were developing the habit of taking liquor was expressed at the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand in Wanganui last night when a report from the Temperance Committee came before th© session. The subject was introduced last night, however, and it was necessary to take the adjournment before the motion to receive the report could be put to the Assembly. Moving the adoption of the report, the Rev. J. D. Smith (Auckland) said that New Zealand did not see the orgies of drinking such as those in the U.S.A., where spirits were consumed in large quantities. In New Zealand the staple drink was beer, which was weaker, but menacing enough. One cause for concern was the habit of drinking which was being developed by young men. A powerful social influence was being established in the homes by the younger generation. They were acquiring the habit of taking drink in their homes and elsewhere and this must result in a deterioration of the race. The people of New Zealand were more or less temperate, but if these things were allowed to continue a crop of alcoholics must result, as was the case in the U.S.A. The Rev. S. W. Webber, seconding the motion, appealed to the Church generally to support the New Zealand Alliance. Heading a deputation which waited on the Assembly, the Rev. H. G. Gilbert, of the New Zealand Alliance, appealed for whole-hearted support for the work of his organisation. There was a fear that retrograde legislation would follow the findings of the Royal Commission. Whatever It had however, it had put the spotlight of truth on the liquor traffic in a wav that, had never been done before. A summary of these findings would be prepared and circulated among churches. The Prohibition Party. Mr. Gilbert added, was not as dead as some politicians would have people be’ieve it was. The findings of the Royal Commission would be most useful in the fight by the Alliance against liquor in the coming election. “From the churches the force must come if this work is to go forward but what hurts is the indifference of so many people and even some ministers in the pulpit,” Mr. Gilbert added. “Unless the drives come from inside the Church we shall be lost.” There were some ministers, even in the Presbyterian Church, who never referred to temperance, and did not even avail themseles of Temperance Sunday to put over a message to the people. “We should drive at a good solid vote for the abolition of liquor,” the speaker added. After the deputation had withdrawn the Assembly was adjourned till this morning.