LABOUR AND LIQUOR.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 224, 15 June 1908, Page 7

LABOUR AND LIQUOR.

ADDRESS BY MR. T. M. SMITH. In the Opera Houso last ovoning, at a mooting held under the auspices of, the Political Labour League, Mr. T. M. Smith gave an address on the subject "Why Labour should' Vote Continuance." - ' ■ Mr. A. H. Hindmarsh, who presided, said that the League, as such, had not taken up any specific, attitudo on the Prohibition question, and'having listened, the previous week, to Mr. A. R. Atkinson's exposition of No-, licehse arguments, it. was pleased to listen then to the other side. •. Mr. Smith, in tho course of an address marked by cloarncss and moderation, argued against Prohibition, firstly, on the ground that it affected only tho working man. The .capitalist, under No-license conditions, could stock his privato collars with liquor, but tho popr man was prevented from getting drink. He also alleged that considerable evils existed at Invercargill and Ashburton under the Nolicenso regime. Publichouses sprang, up on tho outskirts of No-license areas, and kegs of beer wero procured by youths and drunk in paddocks, lie quoted figures to show that sinco the introduction of the local option system the consumption of liquor per adult in Now Zealand had increased by 40 per cent. Mr. Smith also that tho amount of duty paid on liquor imported into Invorcarcill had increased sinco the town came under No-license.

At the conclusion of his romarlcs, tho speaker answered several questions put to him. On tho motion of tho chairman, a voto of thanks was passed to Mr. Smith for his " lucid and moderate addross." During tho evening, an orchestra, under tho baton of Mr. E. J. King, played selections, Mr. G. Watlcins and Sir. W. Fenton contributed songs, and Mr. George Goodall gave a short Shakcfipcaran recitation; .