LICENSING BILL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 233, 29 September 1908, Page 5

LICENSING BILL.

OPPOSITION DEMONSTRATION. ATTENDED BY 250,000. (Received 8.8 a.m.) LONDON, September 28. A quarter of a million people took part in a demonstration on Sunday in Hyde Park against the Licensing Bill. Seventy thousand provincial excursionists came in by 170 1 special trains from all parts of the Kingdom to participate in the demonstrations. fifteen processions marched to the park, carrying banners, and including 100 bands. Ninety speakers, including Mr. Henniker Heaton, Mr. H. H. Marks, and Mr. Stavely Hill, Ms.P., addressed the crowd from twenty platforms, denouncing the bill. Resolutions were carried amid tremendous applause, protesting that the bill would increase intemperance, violate the rights of property, and interfere with i the reasonable liberty of the community. I The brewing interest secured excursionists excessivety cheap fares, by guaran- [ teeing the railway companies against i loss. "The Times" says that the demonstra-1 tion was a remarkable example of skilful organisation, but the great majority protested with perfect seriousness. I The "Daily News" says that the pro- I ! cessionists were chiefly free trippers and poor hireling victims of drink.