WOMEN'S CRUSADE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 141, 16 June 1911, Page 4

WOMEN'S CRUSADE.

IN SUPPORT OF NO-LICENSE. LAST NIGHT'S MEETING. A women's crusade for No-license and Dominion Prohibition attracted a large attendance at the concert chamber of the Town Hall last evening. Mrs. A. 11. j Atkinson, who presided, extended those present a very hearty welcome to the inaugural meeting, and called upon Miss Anderson Hughes to give an address. Miss Hughes, who received an enthusiastic reception, explained a pomowhat similar crusade in the North of Ireland, which, she said, had had remarkabls effects. The movement was described a-i a "catch my pal" effort, each man who signed the pledge promising i to obtain the signature of one of his friends. 'Ihis system was extended, and much valuable work was done. The number of converts increased by phenomenal strides. The effect was that business went ahead, particularly that of the retailers, and tho hotels had their takings enormously reduced. The homes, as a natural consequence, were greatly improved. It was foundj however, that the women were drinking, and the speaker was sent over by the English Alliance. They could not call it a "catch, my pal" movement, so the name "catch, my gal" was hit upon. Her address was a strong appeal to women to vote for No-license and to inftuencd the men to do likewise. Her eloquence was greatly appreciated. 'Mrs. Barton, of Glasgow, was also cordially welcomed. She said it was not good for woman to be alone^ — even at the ballot-box. (Laughter.) Miss Hughes had told them about the Trish movement, which, however, would be completely eclipsed in New Zealand. (Loud applause.) Women were blamed by the men for most things, and she hopeel that the shock the liquor 'traffic was going to get would be blamed on them also. She did not value the vote, for its ordinary political possibilities, but for the weapon it placed in their hands to aid the Nolicense movement. The. speaker counselled her hearers to strike out the top lines of both local No-license and national prohibition ballot-papers, and get their friends to do likewise. They would very soon gel at the poverty of a country if they settled the liquor traffic. If it was going to be settled in this fair land, the women were going to do it. No one wanted men who , drank, not even the brewers. They knew what the drunkard was. They were told that if No-license were carried men would lose their employment. Yes, but how many were out of it through drink? It was said that the price of such commodities as soap and kerosene would go up under Nolicense, but the reverse was the case. The speaker quoted a case she had come across in a New Zealand train of a woman, aged 22, married, with one child, with two black eyes and suffering from the effects of liquor. , Tho chairman announced that the collection amounted to £13 18s 7^d. "Men," called out one of them in the men's gallery, "three cheers for the women's crusaders!" and the cheers were enthusiastically given. .The speakers', were accorded hearty votes of thanks, on the nlotion' of Mrs Keay. EFFECTS OF NO-LICENSE. The Convention spent yesterday afternoon listening to testimony from clergymen and others in the various NoLicense areas. Each one stated that a very great improvement had been effected. Speaking of Waihi, the Rev. F. A. Thomson said that Mi*. Poole'e account of riot under No-License .'was corYbctj but there .were Jio riots now.