THE PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 11347, 9 August 1902, Page 11

THE PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN.

ADDRESS BY MRS HARRISON LEE. Mrs Harrison Lee, who addressed a fairly large audience at Canterbury Hall last night on "The Battle with the Bars," is, aa the chairman, the Rev. Dr. Erwin, remarked, in introducing the lecturer, wellknown in this city. Mrs Lee possesses a clear and distinct delivery, and those in the furthest portion of the Hall last night had no difficulty in hearing her. At times the lecturer was humorous, at others pathetic. The Rev. Dr. Erwin, in introducing Mrs Lee, spoke at some length on the increase of drunkenness in the colony, quoting the last report of the Police Department to show that during the year under review ttbere had been an increase of 700 arrests for drunkenness, whilst the total number cf first offenders arrested was 4456. • Mrs Lee was received with applause on rising to speak, and in opening said that they started the campaign under a happy augury—-it was the eve of the Coronation of the King, and, she hoped, the eve oi the Coronation of the King of Kings. In the course of her address Mrs Lee dealt witih a number of popular objections to Prohibition, and replied to the arguments adduced in support of such objections. Tha lecturer mentioned that she had that day, for the first time, seen ladies drinking alcoholic liquor in public refreshment rooms—one lady drank brandy, and other two beer. ( During the evening Miss Field sang "Sunshine a_d Rain," and "Strike out the Top Line." Mr R. M. Speira, in moving a vote of thanks to Mrs Lee, referred to the publication being issued by the Canterbury Prohibition Council, and stated that this course had been found necessary as the daily newspapers in this city, in which the "Canterbury Women's Christian Temperance Unions and the Prohibition League- had previously published temperance ° columns, had, owing to pressure on their space increased the advertising rate to such an amount that the Unions and the League could not afford the expenditure. A vcte of thanks wa. accorded Mrs Lee by acclamation. Mrs Lee speaks in Cathedral Square tonight, and in the Canterbury Hall tomorrow night.