THE AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY AND THE NO-LICENSE VOTE AT WAIHI.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 300, 16 December 1908, Page 8

THE AUCKLAND PRESBYTERY AND THE NO-LICENSE VOTE AT WAIHI.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The Presbyterian Assembly has some members who fail to see that they have placed the cart before the horse, and so brought into existence a mystery which need not exist. Mr. Bagnall appears anxious for us to believe that the increase in the drink bill is in consequence of the increase in the No-license sentiment. I claim that the No-license vote is growing because of the increase in the drink expenditure, of which the "drink bill" is a poor guide. The more prosperity in license districts the more drinking; the more drinking, the more crime and evils arising therefrom, and, as a naturjal consequence, the Imore powerful the Xo-license vote is becoming. It is a very inconsistent thing for the community to take license fees from men for a privilege to sell an article of which everyone hopes they will not sell too much.

I wish to enter a protest against the slur cast by Messrs. Bagnall and Pattullo upon the Waihi men and women who are trying to protect themselves, their homes, and their offspring from an illogical business, which has brought most misery to those who use it most liberally, and through them to many innocent sufferers. Waihi has been most consistent in its opposition to the trade, irrespective of the price of beer. Nine years ago it was deprived of victory by same peculiar transactions. In 1905 Waihi polled 1453 votes for No-license, against 946 for License, but was deprived by other portions of the electorate. On November 17th last there were only 593 for License against 1573 for No-license— 279 votes over the three-fifths majority, and, being supported by the whole electorate, succeeded in gaining a victory, which is again challenged by the monopoly which some of their unfortunate comrades have helped to build up. It is little wonder men in the street cry, "How long, O Lord?" and sneer at "Christianity , . , which throws its influence upon such doings.—l am, etc., W. J. MAGDERJfOar. ;

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In a recent issue of the "Auckland Star," there appeared a report of the Auckland Presbytery meeting, in which the Rev. J. L. Pattullo, of Whangarei, and one time of St. James* Church, Waihi, state that "he believed that prohibition would not have been carried there (Waihi) had it not been for the refusal to reduce the price of beer; it •was sheer devilment on the part of the miners." Now, Sir, such extraordinary misleading statements emanating from a minister of the Gospel were not only ■unbecoming, but they displayed a very low estimate held by the speaker of the residents in this district, and reflected discredit upon the whole community, which I can assure you is strongly resented. The Rev. Mr Pattullo evidently did not take a deep interest in temperance matters during his residence in Waihi, or he would have been aware of the fact that for four successive local option polls the issue for No-license was carried in Waihi by over a three-fifths majority on each occasion. Probably the Royal Commission which Mr E. G. B. Moss and others are asking for may throw some light upon the Ohinemuri local option poll of 1899. I have been in close touch with the miners of this and surrounding districts for the past 15 years, and, apart from a small minority who may show a distinct liking for intoxicating drink, the vast majority I have found to be of a far higher type of manliness and moral character than to be swayed by threepenny beers when they are called upon to express themselves concerning such an important issue.—l am, eta, WAIHI RESIDENT. Waihi, 12th December, 1908.