PROHIBITION AND ALTAR WINE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3391, 5 December 1911, Page 3

PROHIBITION AND ALTAR WINE.

STATEMENT BY FATHER LANE.

The Rev. Father Lane has asked us to publish the following statement:—

“A No-lioense intimation in your issue yesterday in reference to my remarks in St. Maiy’s Church last evening calls for an explanation from me. i am well aware that the present Act of Parliament relating to prohibition, makes provision for the use of wine for medicinal, Sacramental, and industrial purposes. It is satisfactory to know that the N.Z. Alliance executive favors the retention of these clauses. My reasons for alluding to the subject last evening are identical with those which prompted tho Archbishop of Wellington to send tbe following circular to the priests and people of the Wellington archdiocese: “Leaders of the No-lioense party have publicly declared that if National prohibition is carried one of the results will be that after about ten years no wine, even for medicinal or sacramental purposes, will be allowed in the Dominion. • . As this would render the celebration of Mass impossible ’ These remarks of tho

Archbishop refer to a speech made by the Rev. Mr. Hammond at Ashburton, at present under engagement to the Nolieenso party in New Zealand, on tho 18th of November, wherein he stated that alcohol is an evil in itself, and that when prohibition is earned, a few years after we will have the majority of the poople educated to the extent that doctors will throw alcohol out for medicinal purposes, and the churches will not use it for Sacramental purposes; then will come the repeal of the exemption clauses in tbe matter of about ten years. The editor of tbe “Dunedin Tablet” interviewed the Rev. Mr. Hammond in connection with these statements. The result of the interview wars to substantially confirm his speech at Ashburton, that after ten years ot prohibition the present exemptions in favor of tbe importation of wine for Sacramental and medicinal purposes would be non-exist-ent. Now, as fermented wine is necessary for tbe highest- and most sacred act of worship in the Catholic Church the prohibition of the use of wine may lead to the prohibition of the Mass at a future date. This new aspect of the prohibition question is one that is calculated to cause Catholics very great concern.” FATHER LANE.