PROHIBITION AND TEMPERANCE LEAGUE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 22, 27 January 1897, Page 3

PROHIBITION AND TEMPERANCE LEAGUE.

The anniversary gathering of the members of the above League was held last, evening, in the Foresters' Hall, Karangahape Road. There was a large attendance of ladies nitd gentlemen. Tea was provided at 6.30 o'clock, and partaken of by a number of members. The public rneet>ng at 8 o'clock was presided ovor by the Rev. VV. J. Williams. There were also on the platform, Mr George Fowlde, and the Revs. Sinclair and Peters. Mr Arthur Roseer, kho Revs Gittos and Dewsbury were sitting in the body of the hall. In opening the proceedings, the Chairman mentioned thab this wan the anniversary of the birthday of the L»aeue. Ho contended that ib was the duty of all good citizen* to aid in suppressing the liquor traffic. He conoidered there Was a more deadly pasbilence emanating from the 60 hotels than from nil the open sewers in the city. The over supply of liquor was a much more (•oriouß danger than the poieible short supply of water. Ib was worse than the danger of a typhoid epidemic. The past year'u work was, he considored, satisfactory. The League had held 30 public meetinua during the year, distributed a great amount of temperance literature and gained the sympathy to a great extent of the churches. Ac the election day they wore outvoted, but they did not despair at being beaten in Hie first stand-up fight with the liquor truffle. The fight cost the League £200. What ib co«fc the publican party mo»b of those piesent could judgo, probably £1 por vote." If tho League vmh an expenditure of £200 could poll within 1,400 of the publican party, notwithstanding the iavish expenditure, then they had nothing to be aebaraed of, and would try and do hotter nexr, time. (Applnut-e.)

Mr Georjre Fowld* also addrexsed the meeting. Ho snid that while prohibition would noli do everything towards making v pertecb State, sr.ill iv would do much in the diiection of curing iho evils in society and niMko othor mv.rts essential reforms possible. (Applause.) It was requisite firch to [rot a sober nation, and other re forme mu«t follow. Mr Fovvlds ."aid ho was opposed to the liquor trailic on account of ita monopolistic character. This monopoly wan a danger to the community because ib would corrupt officials before their very face. One of the tiling*'the Prohibition Party must do waa to secure electoral righto, no as to remedy pome of the present evil*. He also thought it inadvfruble for the Prohibition Party to select candidates." Let the boat man be put in. He thought, howover, Prohibii.ioni6fc9 hart cause to be proud of the results attained at the recent election. Mr George Aldridge made a few ccngratulatory remarkc, afcer which tho Rev. H. Dewebury gave an address, in the course of which he advocated dropping National Prohibition tor the present so as to boat the enemy in detail. Mra Mitchell played "The Military March," Mrs Hunter sang "The Last Milestone" and "The Old Land," Miaß Spedding and Messrs Hood and Spedding played an instrumental trio, Miss Bridgens recited "The Women's War." llev. A. Mitchell s«ing "The D»ver" and Mr D- ABod ley delivered a recitation. On the motion of Mr R, French votes of thanks were accorded all who bad assisted.