CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR CONVENTION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 161, 2 April 1919, Page 2

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR CONVENTION

PROHIBITION RALLY'. The annual co'nycntion of the 'Wellington Provincial Christian Endeavour Union opened yesterday with a prohibition rally, held at the Vivian Street Baptist Church. The Hon! C. M. Luke, M.L.U., presided, and said that ho was gfttd to seo that the union had made a prohibition rally the feature of this year's convention. He regretted that there was not a larger attendance, but those present would bo able to lend very valuable assistance on April 10. This was an epochmaking- age, and probably fn no period of tho world's history had there been such an effort on-tho part of the prohibitionists as the present one to stop tho liquor traffic. He did not. know of any question which was more c-alculaled to make for tho well-being of the young people than that of liquor reform. The question was of paramount importance to the whole Dominion, and he urged those present lo do their utmost fo out the liquor 'traffic. "This awful, traffic must bo smnshed," said Mr. Luke.

Rev. J. Dawson congratulated thr> Christian Endeavour Union on tho prohibition rally. The.liquor traffic, ho said, was going to die, and ho was cf 'the opinion (hat it would not be long before the Dominion would be free from liquor. Once gone, he w v as sure that it .wo-u'M-not. be permitted again in New Zealand. The 'speaker then went oii to explain the questions which voters would be confronted with on tho ballot paper, and Ira urged upon them to Btt'ike out the top line and to realise that the top line was the winning line. ]f prohibition were carried on April 10, it would come into force on June 30. There was no provision in the Act for any future pall oh the liquor question, so that should prohibition be carried no further vote. would 'be taken. Ho did not fear that any politician or party of.! politicians Would ever attempt, to introduce legislation (b bring liquor back '.into tho "cbuntry'onee it was out. Ho was confident that .prohibition would bo : carried.' (Applause.)

The Rev. G. W. J. Fortune, of Vancouver, was tlio next speaker, and lie addressed tho gathering on the lines covered in previous speeches. He also dealt with the effect prohibition had in Canada and in the. United States of America, and how efficiency had been increased to 100 per cent. There had been a lot of talk about increased taxation which, it was claimed, would follow prohibition. This was wrong. No one would be a penny poorer. In fad, everyone would bo richer, and tho present prosperity of the country would double itself. Efficiency was the keynote to success, but. .general efficiency could not bo obtained whilst tho liquor traffic remained. Tl; hud to go. Canada .hail found that prohibition was.working wonder?. Prohibition was the greatest boon Hint ever happened to business. Bonk managers in Canada had opposed prohibition, but they hud since feuml that its introduction.increased fheir business. In British Columbia, four gaols were closed within two months of prohibition. Crime, had diminished to allmost vanishing point. Joy riding, open cafes, and drinking after hours lied disappeared—it was all n thing of the past, (Applause.)

Musical'items, were contributed by Miss Green and Miss Pringlc. Mr. Musker presided at the organ.