Presbyterians Want Licensing Legislation

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1948, Page 7

Presbyterians Want Licensing Legislation

AUCKLAND, October 3. “The temperance committee of the Presbyterian Church is very much concerned at the failure of the promised licensing legislation to appear, and at reports in the press that the main recommendations of the Licensing Commission are not to have a place in it,” states the Rt. Rev. J. D. Smith, convener of the committee, in a letter to the Prime Minister- (Mr. Fraser).

“V/e thoroughly disapprove of the atmosphere of secrecy which surrounds the situation,” Mr Smith says, "and regard what is happening as a denial of democratic rights to the people. They should be informed adequately to the proposals of the Government and given an adequate opportunity to consider and express themselves regarding them.” Mr Smith said the evidence before the Commission showed that salutory reforms of the licensing authority were necessary. While his committee did not approve of all its recommendations, they were deeply concerned that some real reform should be introduced, which would increase the sobriety of the nation. NO HOPE OF PROHIBITION “There is too little Christianity in New Zealand to-day, of both the general and the ‘diffused’ sorts, to make prohibition a next-poll probability,” states the Outlook, the official organ of the Presbyterian Church, in an editorial. The journal states, however, that this does not mean that licensing polls should cease, “for a strong minority still desires abolition and full opportunities to persuade others to desire it.” It urges that Christians should discuss their thinking of the last 10 years, for it holds that only in this way can the old confusions of thought be cleared away, personal convictions be reformed, and the group strategy of Christ ans against the "organised abu.se of liquor” be formulated and given force. Social drinking in New Zealand, it adds, is on a dangerous scale, “and any ‘trade’ which encourages this is an anti-social institution.”