TEMPERANCE REFORM

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 31

TEMPERANCE REFORM

OTAGO COUNCIL’S MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Otago Temperance Reform Council was held on Tuesday in the Slade Hall, Central Mission. The Rev. John Pringle presided, and there was a good attendance of delegates and members. The report of the Dominion Methodist Temperance Committee was laid before the meeting. It emphasised (1) that in all educative work a feature should be made of total abstinence pledge signing; (2) that monthly temperance teaching be given to all Sunday schools and Bible classes; (3) that temperance committees be set up in each circuit for work in connection w r ith this year’s licensing poll. Appreciation of the report was expressed by the council. The proposed Government Bill dealing with motor drivers’ regulations was under discussion, and the following resolution was adopted:—“That the Otago Temperance Reform Council regrets exceedingly that in the Government’s proposed new regulations for motor drivers there is no attempt to deal with the important and pressing question of the menace of drinking and intoxicated motorists. As this matter has been brought before the Government time and again by motor associations and other organisations, and as there has been a continued increase of drinkcaused accidents and deaths, the Government’s inactivity is beyond comprehension. This council respectfully petitions the Government that the matter be adequately dealt with in the proposed Bill in the direction of tightening the law and stiffening the penalties against drinking and intoxicated motorists. That a first conviction of an intoxicated motorist should carry a penalty of from £2O to £lOO and cancellation of license for two years. That for the second conviction the penalty should be the maximum fine and cancellation of license for five years. That where injury to body or life is caused, a gaol penalty be imposed. That it be made the duty of the police to notify the Government department of every case of accident where it is known that the driver had taken liquor during the 12 hours previous to the accident. That such reports be tabulated and the totals published annually.” It was decided that Otago be represented at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Alliance in June, when the plans for this year’s campaign would be decided. The meeting was brought to a close with the pronouncing of the benediction.