WILL THE NO-LICENSE MOVEMENT GET A SET BACK NEXT ELECTION ?

Bush Advocate, Volume XXIII, Issue 20, 25 January 1911, Page 5

WILL THE NO-LICENSE MOVEMENT GET A SET BACK NEXT ELECTION ?

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—No oaie need' question the fact that at the present moment the temperance movement is being carried through a critical time. Within tine past few months several onslaughts have been; made upon. at by tho trade. They are rallying their forces everywhere, determined to fight for "life."' Some people think that through the new Licensing Amendments being einfoirced that the temperance cause will get a set back at tho next poll of 1911. Now, instead of this being so, I beliieve that just the very opposite will be the case, and that the vote for temperance will be such that tllie No-license people, and the people of New Zealand will astonish themselves by the large majority that will he voting for temperance. In spite of tho lies told by tlie Liberty Leagues, and the trade, of the bad results that follow in the places that have been blessed with the carrying of No-license. We are 011 the eve of a glorious "victory." These debated onslaughts aire only the "last death struggles of the enemy." Taking a. broad view of the matter, we see for over fifty yeatrs the principle of total abstainanco has been vigorously advocated. As a consequence, the "nation." has been educated up to a higher standard of temperance. Drunkenness is no longer considered as the miark of a. gentleman, or simply a little personal weakness. The drunkard is not now tolerated by respectable society, 'and the very lowest section of the people view" him as a ciur.se. This, I say, is an immense gain, and speaks well for Dominion prohibition. For a ruumber of years I have worked on • behalf of those wJio keenly feel the terrible grip of the drink demon. I know from personal observation what strong drink is doing among our fellow-work-men. Let amy man who lias the welfare of the people at heart, stroll through the towns and peep into the public-houses on a. Saturday night, especially .towards closing time, and see the old and the young men and even women, more or 'less intoxicated. Again, in regard to our national crime, there is scarcely a< crime brought before the court that is not directly caused by strong drink; some of these cases are still very fresh in. our minds. This and the poverty and wretchedness of the poor mart's" dwelling, as well as every drink-miadle wiidow amd every orphaned child—not forgetting the great success" of No-ii cense—will give up another greait victory at tlie next election. Stir, thanking yon..—l am, etc., A. T. HUMPHREY.