THE LICENSING LAW.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5219, 13 December 1877, Page 3

THE LICENSING LAW.

The following report on the Licensing Laws was brought up by a committee and read at the Presbyterian General Assembly on Friday last:— : “ Intemperance continues to increase in the British Isles, notwithstanding all the efforts that have been made to oppose it. During the last year about ten millions sterling more has been spent in intoxicating liquors than during the previous year. The amount spent in these liquors has risen from £110,122,266 in 1867 to £147,288,750 in 1876. While this is the case with respect to the mother country, there is no reason to suppose that there is any ; improvement in the drinking habits of the people of this colony, which have been relatively as bad as those of our fellow subjects at Home. A very general feeling is prevalent that farther remedial measures are absolutely necessary. Among other measures proposed in the Imperial Parliament dur-, ing its last session were—l. Sir Wilfred Lawson’s Permissive Bill. 2. Resolution by the Chamberlain of Birmingham, to the effect ‘ That it is desirable to empower the town councils of boroughs to acquire compulsorily, on payment of fair compensation, the existing interests in the retail sale of intoxicating drinks within their respective districts, and thereafter, if they see fit, to carry on the trade for the convenience of the inhabitants, but! so that no individual shall have any interest in or derive any profit from the sale.’ 3. Mr. Johnstone's BUI to provide—(l) for stopping the issue of licenses to seU by retail, at shops used for other purposes, wine, spirits, liqueurs, ale, beer, porter, &c.; (2.) For limiting the number of licensed houses to one for every 500 of the population in populous places, or one for every 300 in a parish which is not a populous place. In our own colony the Hon. Mr. Fox introduced a Local Option Bill to the House of Representatives, which passed the House with the addition of a compensation clause ; but this addition induced the hon. gentleman to abandon the Bill. Your committee, as empowered by last Assembly, petitioned in favor of the Bill. The Churches at Home are taking decided action on the subject of intemperance in their supreme judicatures. In the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church Professor Cairns said in 1876 that it was quite competent for the Church to recommend total abstinence to its office-bearers and members, and this year a resolution was tabled in the Synod to this effect, but the discussion thereof was postponed till next year. Part of the report of the Established Church Committee is as follows ; ‘ The committee, in conclusion, think it desirable that the Church of Scotlaud should take the same leading part in the temperance movement in this part of the kingdom that the National Church was doing in England.’ The Free Church Assembly in their deliverance among other things say; ’The Assembly renew, their injunction to all the ministers of the Church, in addition to appropriate reference in their ordinary ministrations, to preach a sermon on intemperance. They again strongly recommend all presbyteries who have not yet done so to appoint temperance'committees, and all kirk sessions to take the subject of intemperance into special consideration, and in particular to see that so far as in them lies the young of the congregations are trained in habits of temperance.’ In this deliverance the principle of total abstinence is recognised on the grounds of Christian expediency. - Your committee believe that the Irish Presbyterian Church is as fully alive to the evils arising from strong drink as are the Scottish Churches, and is as zealous as they are in the temperance cause. Your committee are of opinion that intemperance would be lessoned by—l. The continued testimony of the Church against it, 2. Personal abstinence on the ground of Christian expediency. 3. The imbuing of the minds of the young with temperance principles,'and the organising of bands of hope in connection with congregations ; no pledge to be required of members, simple enrolment being sufficient to constitute membership. Your committee believe that the Church might more properly conduct such bands of hope than outside organisations. 4.

The discouraging of drinking customs on mere visits of ceremony;' or the transacting of ■business, and at, funerals, .baptisms,z.&o., 5. Yonr committee are also of opinion that good results would flow from the popular election ; of the Licensing Bench and the abolition of barsinpubliohouaes, where refreshment, in the proper sense of the word, is not furnished, but injurious stimulants. In conclusion, your committee would state two significant facts as bearing upon the evil effects of the use. of intoxicants on the Church. Professor Blackie stated that during the summer of this year he had preached in five churches, the ministers of which had been either suspended or deposed for intemperance ; and the Rev, Mr, Kay, of Coatbridge, related that he took thirty individuals, men and women, who had spoken to him personally about their souls,, who had mentioned their , deep conviction of . sin, and who had told either himself personally or some of his office-bearers that they believed that they had been brought to peace through faith in Jesus Christ, and had found that twenty-five of them had fallen away, not indirectly, but directly through the drinking customs of the country.” . . ■