THE CANTERBURY TEMPERANCE LEAGUE.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1563, 21 February 1879, Page 3

THE CANTERBURY TEMPERANCE LEAGUE.

A public meeting was hold last evening in St. Andrew’s school room, for the purpose of forming a branch society in connection with the Canterbury Temperance League. There was a very small attendance, not more than twenty persons being present. The chair was occupied by the Rev. Chas. Fraser. After the Rev. Mr White had engaged in prayer, The Chairman briefly explained the object of the meeting, dwelling mainly upon the great good winch would result to the inhabitants of the district through the establishment of such a branch society. He referred to the small number of persons present, and said it was a matter of regret that there was not a larger attendance, which

was perhaps in consequence of the barricaded sta : o of the school-room through the drainage works now in progress around it. The Rov. Mr Macfarlane moved tho first resolution as follows i That a St, Andrew’s Branch Society be established in connection with the Canterbury Temperance League.” In speaking to the motion, be referred to the great necessity which existed for tiro organisation of such societies, as being of incalculable benefit to the community at largo, In speaking of tho drinking customs of the place he alluded to the Suud iy trading carried on in so-called respectable houses, and made special reference to one hotel, or what might rather be termed drinking shop, where on a Sunday not long ago no less than eight people lay in a state of absolute drunkenness, while there were sixteen or seventeen others drinking, and no doubt in a state of partial intoxication. In alluding to the difficulties of weaning people from drink, and the opinions of some medical men on the subject, lie spoke with great pleasure of tho fact that now-a-days, a very large number of medical men were teetotallers, knowing as they well did how injurious and demoralising drink was to the system. Mr Saunders, M.H R , seconded the motion, and in doing so said the time had come when measures should be taken to put a ston to the wholesale licensing of public houses. If they had fewer houses they would be far better conducted than tho generality of them were at tho present time. In referring to the means of reclaiming men from drink, he strongly condemned the action of those medical men who when a man was trying to give up tho habit of drinking recommended him to lake a little—one or two glasses a day—before he knocked off altogether. He instanced a case in which an apparently irreclaimable drunkard who had promised reformation had positively refused to take his doctor’s advice, and was now a worthy and respectable member of tbo community, and superintendent of a Sunday school in one of our chief cities. Tho motion was then put and carried unanimously. The Chairman thought he might fairly congratulate tho temperance cause on having secured tho co-operation of such a gentleman as Mr Saunders. Tho Rev. Mr White moved tho next resolution—“ That tho minister and office bearers of the Church be requested to act as committee of tho Branch Society.” In speaking to the motion, Mr White referred to the fact that a hundred and forty-seven millions were yearly expended in Great Britain on strong drink, while the amount raised by all the leading religious societies was only a million and a-half. Mr R. McKenzie seconded the motion, which was carried. The Chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Messrs Saunders, White, and Macfarlane far their attendance at the meeting. In doing so, he said it was intended that the present should be the first of a series of similar meetings to be held in the various parishes in Christchurch, and in fact throughout the whole of Canterbury, in connection with the various congregations. Religion and tho temperance cause must go hand in hand, and he had no doubt the results would be of a most beneficial character. The motion having been put and agreed to, the meeting closed with prayer.