PUBLIC MEETING.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8789, 10 March 1894, Page 9

PUBLIC MEETING.

Vim A meeting of those in favour of a reduction of licenses was held yesterday afternoon in the V.M.C.A. Hall. The ladies were early in the field and filled the greater part of the room. The chair was occupied by the Bishop of Christchureh, and on the platform were— Very Rev. the Dean, Revs. Dr. Elmslie, Birch, and Father Bell. A letter was read from Dr. Hacon pointing out that the method of dealing with the evil of drunkenness was a vigorous and careful supervision of the public houses, the establishment of Inebriate Homes, and the i careful inspection of liquor sold. The Chairman made a personal statement with regard to an article appearing in The Pp.ess, which appears elsewhere. On the subject of the meeting he wished to say that what they ought to do was to get rid of certain bad houses in Christcaurch, or perhaps he should say the most houses in Christchureh. He thought that there was far too much competition going on ia the trade, which resulted in men ; evading the law. Therefore, he hoped j they would go for what he had gone for in I every place where he had been for twentyfive years, viz., the reduction of the houses [to the full extent of 25 per cent. Some might say why not go for the whole thing, as the trade was bad. First, he said that they were not ripe for it. Could they not regulate the houses'; (' 4 No, no.") Well, then if the State could not restrict the trade, it could not drive it out. They would, under these circumstances, have no licensed houses, but Christchureh would be a dea of iniquity. The people were the Government, aud it was because the country was not unanimous in restricting the trade that they did not do so. He could not hold that it was immoral to take a glass of ale, a glass of wine, or even a glass of whiskey. (Applause.) But while he said that it was not immoral for a man to do so, it might be better not tc do so. The reduction by 25 per cent, would, he submitted, be a strong warning to the houses which were left. If they could not restrain the houses by the removal of excessive competition, by the warning they gave by reduction, then the Slate, which could, if it chose, restrain, could also sweep away. He felt that it they carried out the prohibition they would drive men to get drink in an illicit way. He now called upon Dr. Elmslie to move the resolution. Dr. Elmslie said that whilst they were very glad to see the ladies present, he would remind them that the meeting was called for an especial purpose, and he hoped they would not disturb the meeting. He bad felt that be could not range himself in line with those who urged the extreme result of prohibition, and therefore he had quietly withdrawn from taking any active part in the matter. He now asked the prohibitionists to join with them iv endeavouring to get a reduction in the number of the licenses in the city. The resolution he had to move was as follows:— 44 That the electors present at this meeting pledge themselves to support by their votes and interest to the utmost of their power at the forthcoming polls a substantial reduction (to the extent of 25 per cent.) of the existing number of licensed houses in Christchureh." Pastor Birch briefly seconded the resolution. Mr J. M. Thompson suggested that the meeting should adjourn. . The Bishop said he could not take such a motion. Several persons attempted to address the meeting. The Chairman said he desired to state to the meeting that the votes of those who were opposed to the resolution could not be I taken nor could be, acting under the instructions of the promoters ot the meeting, allow anyone to speak either for or against the resolution. When he put the resolution he should take the votes in favour of it as representing those who had been invited to be preaent, but those on the opposite aide were those who had not been invited and had no right to be there, because the advertisement only wanted those who were in sympathy with the object of the meeting as there set forth, viz., the reduction of the licensed houses. Rev. H. C. M. Watson, Mr Hugh Bennetts, Mr E. Jones and others made some remarks. Mr Hugh Bennetts desired to speak, stating that he was in favour of the resolution, but The Chairman said he would not allow any discussion, and he would put the reaoluon the terms he had stated. The resolution was then put, and as the ladies and their sympathisers were largely in the majority the votes against were greatly in the preponderance. Dr. Foster moved the second resolution as follows :—" That this meeting deeply regrets the refusal of the prohibitionist advisers to accept their support in nominating a Committee to be named by the prohibitionists for the forthcoming three years, or indeed to nominate any such Committtee ; and the advisers of the trade having submitted a list which it appears to this meeting may he depended on to effect an honest and substantial reduction of the existing number of licenses, and having expressed their anxiety to cooperate with the friends of temperance reform in enforcing a rigid observance of the law on the part of the licensed houses, recommend friends to support such list by their votes at the poll." The speaker went on to detail the .conversation he had had with Mr T. E. Taylor on the offer contained in the resolution, and urged the prohibitionists to consider whether they were wise to refuse the offer made to carry out a reduction of the licensed houses. During the course of his address Dr. Foster was repeatedly interrupted. Rev. Father Bell seconded the motion. He referred to the words of Cardinal Manning, that if prohibition were brought into England it would require martial law to enforce it. This being so, why should not the prohibitionists join in with them in endeavouring to get what was possible now, and not strain after that which was impossible. j Several persons rose, and essayed to speak. Rev. Dr. Elmslie said tbat if it went forth to the world that a meeting of this kind convened for the praiseworthy object of obtaining a reduction of the number of the licensed houses in Christchureh was disturbed and upset by the prohibitionists, j it would do a very great harm to the cause of temperance. I Rev. W. Birch said that the prohibitionists were denying to those who had been asked to attend the meeting, and who were in sympathy with the movement stated in the advertisement, the right to conduct their meeting as they liked. They did not interfere with the prohibitionists in their meetings, and he took it as reflecting On the cause of temperance that they should now disturb the meeting this afternoon. Mr Hcgh Bennetts said he was in favour of the reduction of the number of houses, but that was no reason why those who advocated **no license" should not endeavour as far as the law permitted them to carry out their views. Rev. Dr. Elmslie said that it was utterly useless under the circumstances to attempt; to carry on the meeting. He now moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman. The Bishop then declared the meeting closed, and the proceedings terminated.