GOOD NEWS-AND BAD.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19161, 18 November 1927, Page 11

GOOD NEWS-AND BAD.

PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY. TELEGRAM TO MR COATES. Tho Presbyterian General Assembly yesterday received with expressions of satisfaction the news that the Prohibitionists in the House of Representatives liad carriod the day in the fight on the Licensing Bill, but dismay and indignation was expressed concerning the action of the Prime Minister in withdrawing tho Bill.' Just before tho morning session closed permission of the House was granted the llov. J. Paterson, convener of the Temperance Committee, to read a telegram just received from the Rev. C. R. Edmond, general secretary of the New Zealand Alliance. Tho message commenced: "Committee of Whole House carried three yeara, two issues, bare majority." Members applauded vigorously. The reader, with the remark, "Here's the tragedy,"' continued: "Premier then moved and carried motion to report progress to House. Unless he consents to recommittal of the Bill this session, all our work is lost. Suggest you ask Assembly send respectful but strongly worded telegraphio representations tb him immediately expressing earnest desire that Parliament shall be permitted to complete passing the Bill this sesison." The Rev. Mr Paterson then stated, "There is no need for me to express what we all feel in this matter. After all the solemn assurance that has been given on numerous occasions by the Prime Minister that he would not do that, he does it." Continuing, he said that evidently Mr Coates, when he could not get what he wanted, had dropped the Bill. He urged that the Assembly should express strong disapproval of what had been done and should urgently request that the Bill be re-committed. "The honour of the whole community is involved," he stated, "in that the Prime Minister has given his most solemn assurances." Mr Paterson suggested that the drawing up of a telegram should be left to himself as convener of the Ternperanoe Committee with the Rev. "W. H. Howes. The Rev. W. J. Comrie, urged that the Assembly should deliberate longer before taking such a step. The Bill had not yet been finally disposed of, and until this happened the Assembly had no right to express "strong disapproval." The charge of treachery against the Prime Minuter should not be made before it was evident there had been any treachery. Personally, with regard to the Bill, he anticipated the worst. But he considered that the telegram should contain the strongest possible appeal that the Bill should be re-committed. The Rev. William Hewitson also urged caution. He moved that the telegram be considered by the Temperance Committee, this committee's recommendations for the reply to be the first business of "the evening session. The motion was carried. The Rot. J. Paterson, at the evening; session, spoke concerning the Temperanoe Committee's deliberations on the telegram received from Mr 0. R. Edmond. < The speaker said they were much gratified that the recommendations of the General Assembly and the Temperance forces of New Zealand had been carried by a large majority. (Applause.) "In spite of this victory for justice," he continued, "it is possible that all our work may oome to nothing, the will of the people be ignored, and the vote of the members of Parliament oome to no effect through the Prime Minister's action. The Assembly should express a very definite opinion on this matter." The Prime Minister, he said, had given his assurance that the Licensing Bill should not be made a Party issue. The House had expressed its opinion; it had not been what the Prime Minister had wanted, and in consequence he had discovered a necessity of consulting Party leadens. The whole country should voice it* feelings in the matter. If the Bill were shelved, no man from now on could have any uncertain opinion on the subject of political integrity. (Applause.) One member of Parliament had that morning, through the Press, told the public that he had, beforo ejection, given pledgee in which he did not believe, thus offering himself to the scorn of everybody. The crucial point' was that the Prime Minister had not kept repeated assurances he had given. The speakor then read the proposed telegram, pointing out tihat the Assembly would realise that it was couched in courteous terms. Mr Paterson then moved as follows: — "That the following, telegram bo dispatched to the Prime Minister: The Presbyterian General Assembly, now in session at Christchurch, hopes you will continue the Licensing Bill, in view of your repeated assurances that the Bill should hajve a fair run, and be left to the free vote of Parliament.' " The motion was seconded by the Rfrr. J. E. LopdeJl and carried unanimously.

PRIME MINISTER'S ACTION APPRECIATED. When the North Canterbury Methodist Synod resumed yesterday afternoon, the Her. E. P. Blamires reported having received information from Parliament of the latest development in connexion with the Licensing Bill in the House. Pleasure was expressed at toe amendmdhto made to the Bill, but it was felt that the Prime Minister should be urged to allow the Bill to proceed. It was decided that the following talcgram. be sent to the Prime Minister t—"The North Canterbury Methodist Synod now in session appreciates your introduction of the Licensing Bill and your promise of a fair run.. The Synod strongly and respectfully urges that the Bill be allowed to proceed." ALLIANCE RESOLUTIONS. (press assocutxox raxxcnux.) WELLINGTON, November IT. The Standing Committee of the New Zealand Alliance resolved (a) expressing gratification at the emphatic rotes recorded by the House of Representatives against the proposed extension of time between polls, in favour of the two-issue ballot paper and in support of the simple majority: (b) declaring astonishment that the Prime Minister should have moved to report progress and so have imperilled the passage of the Bill after the House had so plainly declared ite will; (c) respectfully reminding the Prime Minister of his repeated assurance that members would be free to deal with the Bill on its merits and regardless of Party ties, and urging that he should do nothing to obstruct the passage of the Bill