PROTESTS BY THE CHURCHES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12387, 7 December 1909, Page 5

PROTESTS BY THE CHURCHES.

ASHBURTON, December 6

Yesterday aijll Ifche Nonconformist churches passed resolutions protesting against the provision for canteens being included in the Defence Bill. Several young men's Bible-classes also passed similar resolutions, considering that canteens were calculated to> exercise a demoralising influence on the ' young men compelled to attend the camps. WELLINGTON, December 6. Tha congregations of a number of local churches passed resolutions yesterday protesting against canteens being provided for by the Defence Act. FEILDING, December 6. There was a very large congregation at Wesley's Church yesterday, when the question of canteens at military camps was laid before the gathering. Mr C. H. Poole, M.P., spoke on the matter, after which the Rev C. E. Beecroft (ex-presidet of the Wesleyan j Conference) proposed that the following telegram be sent to the Premier: " Deeply concerned at the Government proposal to continue facilities for ob- j taining intoxicants at military camps, considering th/e 'grave; moral danger to which the liquor canteen system opposes the youth of the Dominion. The Feilding Wesley congregation earnestly and emphatically urges its abolition." The motion was carried unanimously, and the telegram sent to the Premier this morning. AUCKLAND, December 6. On Saturday the local ministers received telegrams from'Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P., on behalf of the New Zealand Alliance, recmesting them, at the Sunday services, to have resolutions passed protesting against the proposal in the Defence Bill for obtaining intoxicants in canteens in military camps. In most cases the request was acceded to, and strongly-worded resolutions passed by the congregations. , OAMARU, December 6. The local church congregations yesterday adopted strong resolutions protesting against, provision for camp canteens in connection with' the Defence Bill. CHRISTCHURCH,-December 6. In all the non-episcopal churches in the city and suburbs, also the Young Men's Christian Association, resolutions were passed condemning and protesting against the establishment of canteens at the military training camps as proposed in the Defence .Bill. The 'resolutions, were ipassed unanimously by large congregations. This morning's papers contain letters to the editor both for and" : against. canteens, mostly against., , The olily strong one in favour is from an excontingenter. ... . .', : - ,-,- '.....