GLICAN SYNOD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3134, 12 July 1917, Page 9

GLICAN SYNOD

MOTIONS CaKEIBD AT FIKAI, SITTING - . The Anglican ilynod of the Wellington Diocese closed its annual session on Tuesday evening. Among tho resolutions passed at tho linal sittlntr (a list of which appears below) -was one relating to tho early closing of hotels, 'reaffirming, on tho motion of tho Eev. A. li. llansell, tho ojiiniou that it would be in tho interest of tho country to closo the hotel bars at 6 p.m. daily. Tho question had been pjirtly debate at a previous sitting of Synod. In continuation of the donate, tho '.Rer.' G. 11. lllaekburn (Palniorston North) said that in tho early stages of tho war the liquor traffic at Homo had bceu a, tremendous handicap in forwarding the strugglo for Britain. If they were in earnest they must tackle the question in this part of the Empiro also. Regarding the" hardships of the trade, there was soraotliiug to ho said, but it should bo remembered that tho licenses woro issued subject to revision and in tho ordinary courso of events there would hnvo to be a. general electiou after threo years. Tho restrictions which the sir o'clock closing would impose might not be anything like what. might result from a poll of the electors. If. however, there was any doubt on the subject, let tho feeling of the country be tested by a referendum. (Hear, hear.). Much aB ho reEpected Dr. Fyfl'e, he felt that ho was not up to <lal« on this question. (Rear, hear.) Ho placed more reliance on tho convinced opinions of men like Sir Frederick Treves, Sir Andrew Olarkc. and Sir .Victor Eorslcy than oven Dr. Pytfe. (Laughter.) According to these men, alcohol was of no service as a food, and of very littlo as a drug. With regard to tho lied Cross work, ono of our army colonels who had 60,000 wounded passing through his hands, had declared that alcohol had added enormously to thoir sufferings. There would be a tremendous relief from strain to medical men and nurses if alcohol -was stopped. Tho mover, iu tno course of his reply, said that Dr. Pyh'o must havo a "beo in his bonnet" over the liouor and Mr. Wilberfoss uud Mr. Hadfield must share that bee. (Laughter.) He was not fanatical. Ho believed that alcohol had a. place, and that place was ln.tlio medicine chestr-a very valuablo place indeed. Many prohibitionists -were not voting this proposal and a great many othors were. The movement was a big one, and ha would ask Dr. Fyffo and others to substitute for the prohibition party "King and country." Eo bolieved of Dr. Fyffo that if King and country needed him to do without his whisky a-nd soda, Dr. Fyffo would do it. So far as the soldier was concerned, the men on leave on Wednesdays and Saturdays got into Wellington before 5 o'clock. Those who arrived after six o'clock remained the following day. The police were not ucrecd upon tho view that the soldiers would got liquor anyiiow. The Ministor of Health had gono into this question, and made regulations which ought to be effective. It was arrant individualism to say that this movement came from the prohibition party. If there were millions in tho British Empiro that believed with Dr. Fyffe it would bo goodbve to tho British Empire. . The Hot. A. h. Hansen's motion, which was carried by a large majority, was-.— "That tho Synod emphatically reaffirms tho opinion that it would be in tho interests of tho country to close the bars of hotels and clubs at 6 p.m. during the period of the war and for six months thereafter, and that a copy of tho resolution bo sent to tho Government urging them to bring in legislation to this ettect, or to authorise a referendum on the MinOtlior motions carriod woro as follows:— "That the pension fund trustees take into consideration and roport to next Synod on the advisability of increasing the revenuo of tho fund by incorporating therewith a fire insurance scheme for tho dioC "That this Synod tenders its sincere sympathy to tho Eev. A. 0. Williamß and Mr. J OS. Castle, membors of Synod, whoso sons havo laid down their lives for King and Empire." "That tho pension Tund trusteos be requeued to consider and report to next sessions of Synod upon tho actuary s ""That a Printing Committee bo appointed with power to print in tho roport of tho proceedings of Synod, such matters as it may seem advisable to print from the papers, reports, and other documents laid won the table; and with power to confirm the minutes of the last day's session; to consist of the president., the Yen Aich, deacon Fancourt, Mr. A\. J. Birch, and tt "That °the thanks of Synod bo accorded to "That Pr a CS hearty vote of thanks be aecorded to Colonel Tracer for the hospitality .titended to members of Synod at TlmSvnoa thanks the clerical and day secretaries for their services during vote of thanks be accorded to those residents Welhngtoii and suburbs who have afforded hospitality to the members of Synod; to the Welleslo.y Club for placing its premises at the disposal of members of Synod; and to Mrs. Ooleri'dgo for her kindness in providing refreshment for tho members of Synod.