ARCHBISHOP REDWOOD’S’CIRCULAR

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3391, 5 December 1911, Page 9

ARCHBISHOP REDWOOD’S’CIRCULAR

CONSIDERED BY N.Z. ALLIANCE

(Per Press Association.; WELLINGTON, Dec. 4. A special meeting of the New Zealand Alliance executive was held this

morning, when the following resolution was unanimously adopted: “That this executive has read with deep regret a circular letter of Archbishop Redwood, advising Roman Catholics regarding the vote on the national prohibition issue. We notice with pleasure that the said declaration does not touch the issue of no-license, as no question of the need for any exemption for sacramental or other purposes can arise under that issue. The executive desires it to be understood that tilie party lias not only not any such idea, but lias on the other hand given substantial evidence to the contrary. The executive has taken a strong line safeguarding religious convictions. When the draft of the famous compact was presented to the Alliance it did not contain a- provision covering the sacramental question. The New Zealand Alliance absolutely refused to proceed unless the proviso* were inserted, and Sir Joseph Ward declared that unless the New Zealand Alliance demands were acquiesced in ho would not proceed with the Bill. The definite exemption of sacramental win© from the operation of national prohibition was then inserted. The law expressly provides that if national prohibition is carried (section 21, clause 2), ‘nothing in this section shall extend’ or apply to tho importation, manufacture, or sale in accordance with the regulations made by the Goyernor-in-Coiincil in that behalf of intoxicating liquor for medicinal, scientific, sacramental, or industrial purposes exclusively.’ The Archbishop’s dictum is an inference from the following statement attributed to the Rev. Hammond: ‘When we carry prohibition a few years after we will have a majority of people educated to the extent that doctors wall throw alcohol out for medicinal purposes, the churches will not use it for sacramental purposes (as indeed our own church does not now), and it will not be necessary for industrial purposes.’ Mr Hammond appears personally to contemplate a revision by the medical profession, by _ the church, and by the manufacturing interests of their present use of alcohol. Such a revision voluntarily mad© by interested parties themselves is the very opposite of a tyrannical invasion of rights of conscience. The executive is satisfied that it speaks for the whole of the no-license "ortv when it declares that that party would never carry the principle of; prohibition to such lengths as would interfere with the rights of conscience of cur Roman Catholic fellow-citizens or of an.y other religious body, but would, on the contrary, oppose any such extension as a violation of the principles of religious liberty/’

STATEMENT BY MR. HAMMOND. DUNEDIN, Dec. 4, With reference to Archbishop" Redwood’s ciradar. Mr. Hammond has despatched the following telegram to the Archbishop this morning: “Respectfully draw vour attention to the fact that Your Grace has been misinformed. I never said, nor have any prohibition leaders said, nor will we ever say, one word against the very right ynd proper exemption of the clause dealing with wine for sacra mental purposes. I hope Your Grace will take immediate steps to correct the statements in the circular.”