BISHOP AND DRINK

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1925, Page 4

BISHOP AND DRINK

STATE C ONTROL A AJENACT TO OUR 1.l Bt.U i V’.

A conference on ‘’Disinterested Management.’' caller! by the Kxccutive Committee of the True Temperance Association, was held recently at: Bonington House, NmTolk-stieot. Strand. London.

The Bishop of Durham. Dr. Hensley Henson, said it was a great misfortune that temperance had largely drifted into the hands of total abstainers who aimed at making the consumption of alcohol r.s difficult and disreputable as possible. Those who were not teetotallers would take it for granted tluit the lonsumption of alcohol was as legitimate and normal as the consumption of any other ordinary food or drink. That was why he publicly and decisively dissociated himself from the policy and spirit of the total abstainer. It was a pity, too, that the Churches were tied up in this .matter with principles which were not justified by 1 their religion. “I am not prepared yet,” concluded ] tlie b.shop, ‘‘for State control of publichouses. 1 think the State already too powerful, and if given this new influence the State would become an intolerable menace to individual liberty.”