THE WORKER AND LIQUOR.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1244, 28 September 1911, Page 4

THE WORKER AND LIQUOR.

RATHER AMUSING MEETING. Post Office Square was tho scene of a rather amusing meeting at midday yesterday, z The Queen's Statue having been removed some time ago, a new orator's vantago had to be arranged 'for. This was forthcoming in tho form of a cart from tho nearest stand, and from the dock of tho vehiclo tho speakers held forth.

A. lady, whose speech made it unmistakable that she was a wco bit Scotch, was introduced as Mrs. Barton, who had been for some time a parish councillor of Glasgow. A fair-sized crowd of working men had assembled to hear Mrs. Barton. After tomo introductory remarks, Mrs. Barton said before her s'ho saw the working men, and all around were the results of their labours—thoso streets, these edifices, etc. And what had the' liejuor traffic done

• A voice: "What has prohibition doncf" _ Mrs. Barton: What has the liquor traffic done? Wc have never had prohibition; wo are only going to got it now!" She thought that the country which legalised tho liquor traffic ought* to havo some pity for its victims. The "moderate man who could drink off his bottle of champagne" cared little about tho working-man victim of drink who helped to make tho brewer rich. "If you want r. titled aristocracy in this country, wo will let you have somo of them. ' Wo will send them out as immigrants. They arc not wanted there." (Laughter.) . Tlioto were here some interruptions, and Mrs. Barton invited ono of those who wero making them to get up on tho carl: with her. Ho did so, and subsequently another worker mounted the vehicle. "As long as I am a working man. and as lon'g as I have a shilling in my pecker," the latter declared, "if there is a drop of drink in l the country I will havo it. If I want a bottle of ale I am not going to Mrs. Barton to say I want " Mrs. Barton: "You wouldna' get it!" (Laughter.) Tho worker: "If I wanted a plate of porridge " (Hear, hear.) Mrs. Barton: "Ah, now; vou would get that." As time was petering out, the working man was retired, and Mrs. Barton continued her address. In conclusion, she said: "I am coing back Home soon, and I want to go Home with three ringing cheers from tho workers of New Zealand." The town clock: "Do—re—mo . . . Bang!" Workers' voices: "One o'clock! Tirao to start work!" Mrs. Barton (fluttering a small white handkerchief): "Now, friends, throe cheers." Tho "cheers" were rather faint. Another temperance address was given by Mrs. Barton at (ho Salvation Army Hall, at Newtown, a largo audience being present;