PROHIBITION MEETINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 244, 12 October 1918, Page 6

PROHIBITION MEETINGS.

. Open-air meetings were held last night in connection with the liquor question. Messrs. W. C. W. Fortune and J. Kiinpfcon, of Canada, spoke nt the foot of Short.la.nd Street, urging that the fullest support he given to the demand for a referendum re the adoption of the recommendation of the First National Efficiency Board. One persistent interrupter was made a laughing stock by Mr. Simpson, who pointed him out as tin example of how the use of liquor made a man lose control of liimself. When the interruption became very persistent ifr. Simpson remarked that in Canada the right of a street speaker was recognised, and the police would interfere under circumstances similar to those existing at that meeting. This announcement was received with applause by the crowd. Messrs. J. Purtell and M. J. Savage addressed a meeting under the auspices of the N.Z. Labour party at the corner of Pitt and Bcresford Streets. They contended that tho petition circulated by the Moderate asking for a referendum on three issues, was undemocratic. It was argned that a fourth issue should he added, "providing for prohibition without compcnfia.titvn, las from the expiry of the present license period. The speakers advocated as issues to be submitted to a referendum: National continuance, national prohibition without compensation, national prohibition with compensation, and national ownership.