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No-License Convention.

AT BALCLUTHA.

The Annual Convention of the Otago* Prohibition League was opened in the Dalton Hall, Balclutlm, on Wednesday morning, when there wus a good attendance of delegates present, Mr A. S. Adams (Dunedin) the President being in the chair. The Jlw. Mr S. W. Currie opened i>roceedings with prayer. Apologies were received, and a telegram from Rev. W. J. Elliott, the President of the Ashburton No-License League, "Gladly acknowledge Clutha's right to eternal honour for her linn and inspiriting example as pioneer electorate in no-license reform. Ashburton comrades send warmest greetings, with high hope of completer emancipation at coming poll." Mr A. S. Adams briefly welcomed the delegates, and said that it was fitting that this convention of all conventions, —the 25th -should be held at Balclutha, the chief town of the first electorate to destroy the licensed bar. Tie made feeling refernece to the death of the late Mr T. E. Taylor. He said that, while everyone knew Mr Taylor's public character, the sorrow of very many temperance workers was made more poignant by the knowledge of his private and most lovable qualities. He moved—"We desire to place on record our sense of the great loss the cause of temperance and national prohibition has sustained through the death of Mr Taylor, also its appreciation of the invaluable and unrivalled services which his courage, his enthusiasm, his high character, his eloquence, and his unflinching devotion to principles have rendered to the cause. This meeting extends its profound sympathy to the widow and family, and expresses the hope that the people of New Zealand will be inspired by Mr Taylor's example, and by his dying message to be 'true to God and our opportunity, and to make 1911 our year of emancipation.' "

The motion was carried. After several notices of motion had been handed in, Mr Adams gave a short address on "New Conditions." He pointed out that their opportunities at the comingl poll were far greater than at any previous poll. The opportunity to vote national prohibition was a privilege the value of which could not be overestimated. At the present time New Zealand was presenting a curious paradox to the world ; it was called a democracy, and here in the so-called democracy a majority was not allowed to decide the local option poll. There were over 14,000 above half of all the votes cast at last election, cast for no-license—or more than 33,000 above the continnance vote. It was farcical. No argument could honestly support this enormity. If the reform fail-' ed it was only right it should be voted out. If it succeeded there would be no fear of losing it at any successive poll. The cry of 3-sths being required for stability was pure drivel. This was a strong word, but he used it advisedly. He urged upon his hearers to use every endeavour to get the people to vote on both papers set before them at the coming poll ; it was just as necessary that people in No-license areas should vote strongly on both papers as it was for those in districts in which there werejicenses. There was; no limit to credulity and blundering, and it was of first importance that the people who went to the poll should' know what they had to face. They should know that the reduction issue was "now out of it, and that they had to vote on two papers with two questions on each. One paper was for the Dominion vote, the other for the Local vote. Should Dominion prohibition be carried it would not come into operation until four years after the election and the law provided that there would in that case be no further election until the new law had been in operation for four years. Should the Dominion issue be carried at the first election there would be no fresh poll till 1920, as the poll had to be taken at a general election and there was no election in either 1918 or 1919— 50, if they carried this great measure, they would have at least 5.V years of it to compensate for thenlong wait. He made a strong appeal to temperance people to be strong and true to their colours ;<*o embrace thenfirst opportunity—jump through the breach and capture the city. He heard it everywhere said that national prohibition was catching on. It was appealing particularly to the younger voters, and for the great army _of temperance workers it filled the bill. Local No-license was all right and they! were glad to have it, but they > had all known that their goal was higher and further on. They should urge the necessity of everyone coming to the poll. He was looking forward with strong hope and eager expectation to polling day, and he believed if they were loyal to their opportunity they would secure the emancipation of this fair land at next polling day. In answer to questions by delegates, Mr Adams explained—that scrutineers had now full legal powers, and could be present both on clay of poll and at any ae-count after the poll, and could see it right through. The top line of the ballot paper was the .line "1 vote for continuance," or IT-Vote against national'prohibition," and the temperance party should strike out the top line in each ease; the papers were simplified as much as possible. Even if the Jinc was not fully struck out, so long as the vote was reasonably evident, the paper would be valid, and if a voting paper, was spoiled by an elector before being used he could demand another. Replying to a question if they were reasonably safeguarded against an alteration in the law after dominion prohibition was carried, Mr Adams said they could no) tie Parliament's hands in any way ; m the States they had written constitutions which could only be amended in a certain way and at certain times, but under Brittish government the Parliament had sole control. lhey need have no fear,<'however, that any party would countenance such alteration before the reform were tried, and if they did they would simply be committing political suicide.

AFTERNOON SESSION. The second session opened at 2 o'clock, Mr J. Mac Gibbon, of Gore, being in the chair. Proceedings were taken in committee. After notices of motion had, been received and considered, Mr Mac Gibbon emphasised the fact that national prohibition would bo won by individual effort!

Mr G. B. Nicholls read a paper on the necessity of better organisation in Otago. A spirited discussion took place, and it was resolved that the already organised districts should look after the three districts in Otago that are unorganised—namely, Wallace, Otago Central, and Wakatipu. Mr D. Gain read a paper on thecontinued necessity for total abstinence work in both license and noliccnso districts. Mr Palmer, of South Dunedin, said he had fought for ,120 years on the other side, but during the last live years ho had seen that he had been wrong, and had been foolish. Mr A. S. Adams said that in a recent book Dr Cuttcn, a distinguished scientist, declared that the greatest of all cures for alcohol was religion. Mrs Barton said she found in'.travelling round that wherever there was a live Band of Hope movement /going on in full sympathy with the Church there were found thtf finest teinperence sentiments. The present Queen of England was a patron of the Scottish Band of Hope movement—(Applause). A complimentary telegram was received from Mr Wesley Sprugg, and a reply was sent in suitable terms, also a telegram to Rev. L. M. Isitt wishing him success in his candidature.

PUBLIC MEETING. AN INSPIRITING RALLY. ! When the public meeting commenced shortly alter S o'clock on Wednesday evening, there was little seating accommodation not occupied in the Oddlellows Hall. The Hev. W. J. Williams (Oamaru) occupied the chair. ! An apology was read from Mr E. J. Boyd (Mayor of Balclutlm) who had been invited to occupy the chair. He regretted that he was unable to do so owing to a Borough Council meeting, and expressed his sorrow at the death oi the No-License leader, Mr T. E. 1 aylor.

the Chairman said he was pleased "to bo in Balclutha that night. He was an old resident of Balclutha ; his connection with the town went back to ancient histoiyr-beforo the ilood—(Laughter), the trouble then was not too much water but too much whiskv. I hero was stufl' sold over the bars in those days which gave a great deal of trouble, and he rejoiced that Ciutha was the first electorate to oust the open bars. Though some of those present might not remember the speaker, the would remember Mr Isitt, .who was unable to be present; he sent warm' greetings to his old Ciutha friends and prayed that they would follow up what they had done by helping to bring about the total overthrow of the liquor traffic in New Zealand. (Hear, hear). When Mr Isitt first came out he was a moderinist, and believed ,that as such he could do more/ good then as a rank teetotaller, but he had not been in .Balclutha long before he published an/ article in a journal denouncing the liquor traffic. Mr Isitt could never forget Balclutha, because it was here 'that he had kindled in his heart the zeal to fight the drink evil. Balclutha had set the pacefor the whole Dominion.—(Hear, hear). It had swept out the liquor traffic and because it realised the good of no-li-cense had adhered to its decision. They were there now to ask Ciutha to help others to share the benefits it enjoyed. The eyes of New Zealand were watching Ciutha. He asked the people to work for national prohibition, so that the overthrow of the liquor traffic will be realised in this year of 1911.-(Applause). Mr A. S. Adams also expressed his pleasure at seeing old friends at Balclutha. He had harangued a Balclutha audience 18 years ago. The speaker also congratulated Ciutha on being the first electorate to carry no-license, and gave several reminiscences of the movements in Ciutha when that issue ; was carried in 181KJ. With great pleasure he congratulated Balclutha on the evident prosperity it enjoyed under the prohibition regime. Its people were not brought face to face with the ghastly ejects of the liquor 'traffic and they were apt to lose sights of what it involved. They had tidy streets and order, they had no terrible tales of wife beating, and knew nothing of the trouble and poverty which existed where there was drink. There was no financial depression here.. He feared that the young people did not realise the gravity of the position and he wanted them to take a scientific interest in this question, that they might be able to tell their -neighbours why they also should abstain. x\.t one time there was a great diversion of medical opinion about alcohol, but the view of modern science was opposed to drink. The step Ciutha had taken spelt money, health, and modern life for the people. Mr Adams went on to refer to the licensing legislation from the first step, and of the difficulty in getting perfect legislation passed. They had agitated for the Dominion vote since 1893, and had been compelled to creep when they could have run, to run when they could have flown. But now they had the power to fight, and by the national vote to ! sweep the liquor traffic into the sea. j "We came here to congratulate our- ' selves on the progress we have made, j We felicitate with you and say hand iw I hand we will see this thing through." '—(Applause). The Act of last year gave them power to wipe out the liquor traffic, lock, stock, and barrel, and by the power of God they were going I to do it. The children here have no temptation, but if they go away it is not known what may happen to them. He had known young people from no-license districts go to places where there were licenses and, led on by companions, and tempted by open bars, fall victims to the drink evil. There were 705(5 convictions for drunkenness in the Dominion in 1910, and for every man whose name appears in the courts there are half a dozen who are protected by friends from the ignominy of prosecution. Mr Adams concluded an impressive address by asking all to help to carry national prohibition and by the held of God to "see this thing through."—(Applause).. Mrs Barton, of Glasgow, followed, and in broad Scotch accent, gave a bright, humorous address. He remarks were punctuated with laughter from the audience, which thoroughly enjoyed her witty sayings. She commenced with a jocular reference to Mr Adams' lengthly address -and said "You are an awfu' chiel ; I hope yor're we'd." She was surprised at him urging the people to do what they had intended to do—their duty. After referring to the pioneers ,who settled and made the Ciutha, she expressed her pleasure to be ia Balclutha. She would be afraid j to $q back to the Clyde and,. B ay stw

had not been in Balclutha—the first town in New Zealand to carry no-li-cense. Speaking of the national vote, she said they could not get victory) without work, and they should get down to work until they have the stumbling block of drink removed. She made a special plea to the women; they would carry it'through. The liquor traffic had bees tolerated far too long, and she could not conceive of any man or woman voting against no-license. Laudanum, opium, and strychnine were kept in their proper places—chemist's shops ; gunpowder was not scattered in barrels all over the country, but liquor which was just as dangerous was sold without limit. It would have been a boon for Scotland if breweries and distilleries had been stamped out altogether. Some people said drink was good to put warmth into one when cold, and cool when one was hot, but science showed that the 'benefits were nil. They say_ they need a "we drappie" for a social night ; she had seen them after a social night .fighting like fiends. Every civilised person ought to deal with this question in a very stringent way. The lime had come when it should bo stopped altogether. ".Men and women of Balclutha, I want you to begin now ; don't wait for the ballot box. Help us, don't leave a stone unturned ; get to work. I notice that there are several 'more women in New Zealand than men. If Dominion prohibition is not carried T will blame the women. Work with all your might, and may your work here resound throughout the land and reecho till all the world applauds." She concluded with an eloquent peroration to go into the battle for the right, and was warmly applauded at the con-' elusion of her remarks.

Mrs Don, of Dunedin, briefly spoke of the uphill climb of Prohibition. The party was now standing at the place where they left the ziz-zag and went straight to the top. They had got the double-barrelled gun—local option and Dominion option, and would be led on to victory by the rallying cry "Excelsior."

The Eev. J. Dawson, secretary of the Dominion Alliance, congratulated Balclutha on the stand taken 17 years ago. Eleven other "electorates had'banished the bars because Clutha did, and it was most to its credit that its neighbours, Mataura and Bruce, followed the example. He referred to Waihi, where there were 3000 young men, and said that there had been only six convictions for drunkenness since the hotels closed. In Mastcrton, instead of 300 convictions as in the case of the last year of license, there were only 36 for drunkenness last year, and out of that number 26 came of? the trains. The Magistrate Court sittings had decreased in six months in Masterton by SO. In Geraldine they had 20 convic. tions in the last year of license, the following year, half of which was noUcense there had been 12, and last year, all no-license, there were only two.—(Applause). Gisborne, with about 1000 less people than Masterton, had 4-99 convictions last year. The prohibition party appealed to Clutha to do the real patriotic thing and vote to a man and woman for national prohibition. While they had no-li-cense down here, Duller, Wcstland, andt Greymouth, with just about the same number of electors, had 214 hotels. Prohibition was worth living ior. Tom Taylor, a hero, lived and died for it. In his death bed he said "1911 is the year of our emancipation, if we are true to God and our opportunities." He asked them to do all in their power to educate their fellow men to be patriotic, and this year make sure that the liquor traffic was wiped out of the land. They had been given the power, and unless there are two out of every five who vote continuance not a license will be renewed next June. Ho concluded by asking all to stand and repeat the motto of the Alliance, "We will see this thing through." Everybody responded in an earnest voice. Mr Dawson was heartily applauded at the conclusion of his address. The Rev. Mr Currie said he knew Balclutha under license and no-license, and there was a world of improvement under the latter. He expressed his disappointment that there was noH a larger attendance, and said he was vexed that a social was being held that night in Balclutha. Every young man should have been at the meeting. He then moved the following resolution, speaking briefly to one or two clauses in it :—"This meeting of citizens of Balclutha, which has now enjoyed no-license for a period of over 17 years, desires to re-affirm its entire confidence in the value of the- no-license law. Under this law our town has steadily improved Iboth in its lawabiding character and in its material progress. To-day we are practically without crime or an empty house in the borough, the wail of the drunkard's wife and child is not heard in our midst ; and we are not raising a new crop of drunkards from amongst our young men. While we thank God for these blessings, and commend local no-license to the people of New Zealand, we also commend as a still greater achievement the national prohibition of the liquor traffic in 1911. W r e believe that such a step would bring nothing but blessing and prosperity to our fair Dominion." The motion was seconded by Mr R. R. Stewart and carried unanimously.^ The Chairman said that the unanimous vote had given him a great deal of pleasure. After 17 years experience it showed that the people were satisfied with no-license.

During the evening Mr O'Connor sang and a collection was taken up andilib' crally responded to.

The Rov. Mr Laycock (Invcrcargill) presided over the session on Thursday morning in committee. In opening he said it seemed a dreadful thing that anyone should really consider the question of whether no-license increased prosperity or otherwise. This meant selling our boys and girls for gold, for it is as impossible to run a public house bar without boys as it was tc* run a sawmill without logs. Mr W. Paterson, (Puerua, related an account of what happened in 1889 when he led a forlorn hope in a contest concerning the licensing committee. Discussion then proceeded on notices of motion and it was decided that it be urged that the Government make such a law that it be not legal for brewers to sell to any other person than a licensed liquor dealer. The principal business on Thursday afternoon's meeting, which was public, was the hearing of reports from Nolicense areas. The Jfav, S. % Ourw ptesvM.

. J h & Rev. J, Dawson asked leave to introduce "a little item of £25,000," Which they wanted to raise. - The Rev. Mr Williams reported from Oamaru, Mr P. McSkimniing dealt with Bcnhar, Stirling. Kaitangata and Lawrence towns. The Rev. Mr Reader, reported on Milton; Miss Roy, Wairuna and Clinton; Mr Tait, Wanvcra; Mr J. Mac Gibbon, Gore; and Rev. Mr Grigg and Mr Dewei Invercargill. The Rev. Mr Currie spoke of Balclutha, and said there was no comparison between the amount of drinking now and what it was in the olden days. There was more sly-grog selling under license than under the present regime, and as regards drink in homes, it was utter nonsense. Men could take a drink in their homes and not do any harm, but no-license had not introduced drinking into homes where it had not been before. As to the prosperity of the place, it was practically a new Balclutha now. For years past Balclutha hald been blessed with the best police officers they possibly could have.—(Applause). The record of Balclutha Police Court in regard to drink cases was marvellous. The last arrest for drunkenness which was caused (in Balclutha took place nearly five years ago. The police district to which this refers contains about 'GOOO people. During the last 3 years there .have been seven arrests for drunkenness at Balclutha, but these were all men going tq'ithe co-operative works from Dunedin, and who were arrested at the station. These arrests had nothing to do with; Clutha. While there had been a good many prosecutions for technical breaches of the law there had been no prosecutions lor sly grog-selling during the past two or three years.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BH19110821.2.19

Bibliographic details

Bruce Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 65, 21 August 1911, Page 4

Word Count
3,594

No-License Convention. Bruce Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 65, 21 August 1911, Page 4

No-License Convention. Bruce Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 65, 21 August 1911, Page 4

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