KELSO.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1025, 16 March 1894, Page 6

KELSO.

[From An Occasional Co?.a^?oNnENT .[

On Monday, 12th March, a temperance meeting was held in Kelso Presbyterian Church. Mr Russell, one of the nominees of the temperance party for the licensing committee, occupied the chair, and made a few suitable remarks by way of introducing the lecturer, Rev. W. G. M'Laren, of Owaka. Mr M'Laren delivered a forcible address, which waa illustrated also by appropriate and amusing anecdotes, and was listened to with the closest attention. The speaker's state merits were heartily applauded, and his hits greeted with roars of laughter. He took his stand on the great principle of Christian expediency, according to which men must consider the effect of their actions on others as well as on themselves, and be ready to give up anything which proves dangerous to their fellows. In Btrong terms Mr M'Laren depicted the havoc wrought by drink. The testimony of others, viz., Dr Guthrie, ex-President Harrison and others, was quoted. The only remedy was prohibition. That this was no failure he showed from the case of Maine, and also from personal experience in the South Molyneux. As to compensation when the publicans compensated their hapless victims it might be considered, but not till then. He concluded with an earnast apbeal to the women to be true to the trust reposed intbem, and do their utmost to remove thia terrible evil. What untold misery mi«hfc be wrought in three years ! Let them deal the traffic a death blow at once. The Kelso chair sang four temperance songs in good style. Altogether the meeting was the largest and mest enthusiastic ever held in Kelso and augurs well for the temperance party in the approaching election.

On Tuesday evening Mr M'Laren also addressed a meeting iv the Waikoikoi Hall. He was accorded a good hearing, and after a few questions had been asked, he received a hearty vote of thanks.

Mr M'Laren continues his campaign, and holds forth at Tapanui on Wednesday md Thursday. From personal knowledge and observation he is convinced that if only all the temperance people pull together and work heartily they will gain the victery on the 21st. March 14, 1894.