“NOT KILL-JOYS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 462, 18 September 1928, Page 13

“NOT KILL-JOYS”

EVILS of THE DAY CONDEMNED CHRISTIAN COUNCIL DISCUSSION k®.,'but with k bein ? £ s m afd k l^H°: tiar, ri. to the Council of Christ.an Congregations last evening! tendencies ,P rd SLT do^nWTd abolition - ,g nd / ews declared for the fation 1 h< ’v rink traffic b y legisbut. the R ev. Gordon Bell proctl l dW t J‘ a , t , CVery m <?m>>cr of the countia favour abolition of the trafReU ° nl y/olution of the evil. Mr. council wh Gned to withdraw from the severed ' Vhen a question was not annn^ I | t^,T^ rl , dro ? vs Pai d the council was an important organisation, and represented the force of the Protestant Churches. - } v arT ? going to deal with problems of the day ”he said. “Some say that religion should not interfere with them, but should bo concerned with tne tuture; that religious people should leave others alone. They do not like it when the council opposes public men who inflict moral injuries on the community. Mr. Andrews urged that council members should do their utmost to get rid of the liquor traffic. ANOTHER OPINION The Kev. Gordon Bell objected to Mr. Andrews’s contention that liquor was the real evil. “I cannot let that statement pass,” Mr. Bell said. “The evil is the intemperance of men and women. Prohibition itself is a mistaken remedy. “My fixed opinion is that a country like New Zealand has the opportunity of showing what can* be done with prohibition,” protested another member. Mr. Andrews thought that all Christian Churches believed that liquor was the evil. “The coming election is the time to get rid of it.” he said. “We have never had a Parliament so favourable to temperance reform • as we have to-day.” Mr. Bell asked Mr. Andrews if it were necessary for a member of the council to say that abolition of the traffic was the only solution. “If that is the position, I must withdraw from tho council,” he declared. Mr. Bell declared that Mr. Andrews was wrong in saying that that was the council’s opinion. Mr. Andrews: We came here to unite

Mr. Bell: I’m afraid I must press for an answer. I want to know the position.

“That is for you to decide.” said Mr. Andrews, briefly, and discussion lapsed.

A motion by'Mr. Bell thanking Mr. Andrews for his address was carried. In dealing with other subjects. Mr. Andrews remarked that a poll was being taken on Wednesday in connection with the Point Chevalier baths. The council should oppose the control by a private company, when administration should be by a public body. . Referring 'to the approaching elections, he impressed on his audience the importance of considering the moral character of candidates. The council had already been active in investigating candidates’ qualifications. “Gambling, in tho form of racing and ards, is robbing many of moral fibre.’ he said. “There are women who squander their housekeeping allowances in bridge. A leading draper recently said that the increased racing in Auckland was affecting trade.. “There is now a feeling that the moral tone of business is not as it should be,” said Mi*. Andrews. He criticised the extravagant language in the advertising columns of newspapers, and said business integrity was wanted