MR W. D. LYSNAR ON PROHIBITION.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 112, 21 May 1901, Page 3

MR W. D. LYSNAR ON PROHIBITION.

HIS REMEDIES FOR THE LIQUOR QUESTION..

A casual visitor passing by the Wesley Hall last evening would have been under tho impression that we were on the eve of a general election and in tho turmoil of a prohibition campaign. The building was packed to tho doors, ond the greatest interest was manifested in the proceed-

ings. The attraction of the evening was an address, entitled “ I’rohibition and Remedies for the Liquor Traffic,” by Mr W. i>. Lysnar, a gentleman who takes a deep and lively interest in the above question. Mr U. Johnston, Vice-President, occupied the chair, and briefly introduced Mr Lysnar, who, he said, was well known to most of those present. Mr Lysnar went straight to his subject, remarking that the present time was a most opportune one for discussing it, the minds of those present being in a normal condition, and free from excitement. He classified the parties under four heads—viz., the publicans, the extreme prohibitionists, the extreme prohibitionists’ followers, and the general mass of people who were desirous of doing what was right and proper in the way of finding remedies for this troublesomo question. The speaker complained that the extreme prohibitionists did not stick to the truth, and at all times sought to imbue their fellows with views which were false and misleading. lie contended that anyone that went deeply into the question would satisfy himself that prohibition was not the remedy for this drink question. No one who went into it with an honest desire to learn the truth could favor prohibition. Mr Lysnar quoted Mr Jsitt's remarks made in Gisborne at the last election to the effect “that prohibition was a partial failure and that total prohibition was undesirable.” When he (Mr Lysnar) first took up this question it was stated that he was an interested party, that he was paid, that he hold mortgages on hotels, that he received X'soo for his services. Such was not the case, and the only present that he received was a banner from the prohibition party, which lie had most carefully preserved, and which was hanging in his smoking room. (Laughter.) The lecturer, continuing, dwelt at considerable length on the many incidents which befol him during his trip to Balclutha, whilst he also narrated his interview with Bishop Julius and other leading divines. lie admitted that the Bishop had proved a tough " snag,” but rather than face the music His Lordship had taken the first steamer to Norfolk Island, ifuforring to leading prohibitionists in this district, the speaker said that the policy they pursued was luo to vengeance for" some relation of theirs who had fallen through drink. Bussing on, Mr Lysnar referred to the evils of sly-grog selling in the King Country and elsewhere, anti contended that it was far hotter to have honest drunkards than prohibition, which tended to lower the moral tono of the people, and brought about lying, deceit and what not. He complained that the present position of the law dealt hardly upon the publicans, sspocially in the matter of endorsment. In conclusion, Air Lysnar read the following letter, which ho is bringing before Burlinment next session. This contains the remedies lie suggests, and speaks for itself : Sir, —As 1 understand it is intended to introduce legislation during this session of Parliament regarding the licensing question, I am taking the liberty of addressing you ami the other members of both Houses of Parliament upon this subject, and laying before you certain information I had collected and which I subsequently caused to bo put into pamphlet form and through this electorate just prior to the last licensing poll being taken. ..

I am sending you a copy of this pamphlet, which I would respectfully ask you to peruse, as it contains the opinions of leading men who have, in the mu' n, formed their opinions not upon th: >rv but by practical experience, While I am in no way interested in this licensing question except as a colonist living in a district which was threatened with prohibition, and one who went to considerable trouble and personal expense to collect reliable information upon this wretched drink question, I strongly commend the following beads for your favorablo consideration : Firstly : That tho present law granting local option should bo ontiroly repealed, as prohibition, whether local or colonial, is t not tho remedy ; for, inter alia,

(a) Tho pooplo of tho colony have very prudontly refused to adopt it, except in tho case'of Balclutha, which should stand s a sad object lesson against prohibition, (b) It is admitted, ovon by the loading prohibitionists themselves, that prohibition is not tho truo romedy, but that they try to avail thcmsolvos of it, inasmuch as they claim that it is bettor than tho present system, which is so objectionable. (c) Tho people of tho colony, by rejecting so many of tho prohibition candidates at tho last parliamentary election, have again expressed thcmsolvos against prohibition. (d) Parliament has givon tho people of this colony a fair opportunity to test their desire as to whether they shall or shall not have prohibition,but tho people nave refused to adopt it; this being so, why not remove it from the face of the Statute Booh, and so put a stop to this turmoil and unrest which the prohibition vole periodically creates throughout the colony. Secondly : Taking the consensus of the best opinions and information available upon this troublesome subject, it would seem that the only practical remedy lies in constant application of remedial measures to bo applied generally throughout the colony, in ordor to keep the liquor trade under better control, by enacting, inter alia, (a) That the monopoly in the trade that is created by the present law should bo broken up, and either the question of granting now licenses should be left to the Committee or the Magistrate and police, or that there should bo no now licenses granted in any particular locality if a certain percentage of the bona title residents in that locality object, exception perhaps being made on routes of travel where there is little or no settlement. (b) To disallow tho employment of females in bars except where they are interested in the business or are immediate relatives of tho licensee. (e) To appoint in the chief centres analytical chemists as inspectors, who shall travel through the country and i make surprise visits, and shall have power to seize liquors and have them tested at the expense of the Crown. Upon a licensee being convicted of having adulterated spirits upou his premises he shall be subjected to heavy penalties. (d) To prohibit any person under tho avc of 21 years from going into or loitering about a billiard room or bar room of any hotel unless such person is there for some special business purpose. (c) To prohibit any person being served with liquor who is under the age of 21 years, instead of 16 years as at present. (fi To prohibit and fine any person resident in the place found on the premises after closing hours, whether he has liquor or not, unless lie can satisfy the Magistrate that he was there for some necessary purpose such as a medical attendant, etc. (g) To fine a licensee harboring such a resident during closing hours, and, if necessary, endorse his license. Much*may bo said and urged, not only by the extreme Prohibitionists, but also bv the publicans themselves, against reforms of this nature ; but I feel convinced that it is reforms such as these that aro required, which, at the same time, would satisfy the great mass of moderate and unselfish people in their earnest desire to seek a true and beneficial reform for the many evils that cluster round the present system.. Further, by a better regulation and administration of the existing laws, you strike at the top and bottom of the evils we all so much deplore, and, above all, by doing this you will lay the foundation for a ■ system of education, and will assist the'weak to cultivate self-control. In conclusion, I would specially commend'for your consideration the views of Mr B. S. Hawkins, late S.M. at Balclutha, ctmtaingd in page 25 of the pamphlet, and fhose cjf Bishop Seville on page 9, the latter because of his having visited Sweden and considered the effect of tho_ Gothenburg system there, and also haying regu-

larly visited Stewart’s Island, which is in his diocese and is a no-license district-, and also having Baiclutha within his diocese. —I am, etc..

(Signed) W. Douglas Lysxar.

He went through the several recommendations seriatim, enlarging upon each at considerable length. Barmaids acted as magnets, and should, he thought, be abolished and replaced by men.

A lady : That shows that men are very much weaker than women. The lecturer also advocated billiard

saloons being kept apart from hotels. He was prepared to reduce the age at which boys should be allowed to go into hotels to eighteen instead of twenty-one years, as suggested in his letter. He believed that reform was necessary hi connection with hotels. The manner in which many "of tho hotels were being conducted was mainly the cause for there being such an outcry for remedies in this matter. If they put their energies into educating the rising generation and taught them selfcontrol, they would keep them from the drink. Personally he had not had five drinks in a public house in Gisborne during the last four or five years. At tho same time if at any time he wanted a drink he would have it. (Applause).

He deprecated clergymen whose duty it was to teach religion mixing themselves up with this question of prohibition. A clergyman was paid to teach his people religion, and riot to drive down their throats matters pertaining to prohibition. If a Minister did the latter lie should leave the church.

Canon Webb : Surely you do not claim that a minister should be your servantIs he not paid to do tho work of God '? Mr Lysnar: I say that the work of God is not to preach prohibition. A lady member: It is their duty. (Applause.) Mr Lysnar: Not for a servant of God

to do an immoral act. Lady member: It is their duty to put drink down. (Laughter.) Mr Lysnar : Yes; I admit that it is their duty to put it down, but in a proper way.—(Laughter.) The speaker concluded his address at half-past nine, having spoken for an hour amidst frequent, good-natured interruptions. Mr Lysnar was, however, equal to the occasion, and his witty replies caused a good deal of laughter. A motion that tho debate be adjourned was lost, and the meeting opened for discussion, each speaker being allowed ton minutes.

Mr Peckover instanced the good results which had attended prohibition in tho Stato of Maine, pointing out that tho volume of tiie liquor traffic was not one twentieth part of what it was before tho law of 1851. He combatted Mr Lysnar’s arguments regarding the stato of affairs in Clutha.

Rev. Canon Webb denied that prohibitionists were actuated by tho spirit of revenge. When men saw their dearest relations ruined by drink was it not natural that they should seek to save them by destroying tho evil which brought about their downfall ') Mr Buckingham, a visitor from the South, criticised many of Mr Lysnar’s remarks regarding the Clutha district. Ho had spent a fortnight there, and was struck with the evidences of prosperity which ho everywhere saw. One Sunday whilst he was in Clutha the collection at

tho Wesleyan Church amounted to L4O. There were as many signs of prosperity in Clutha as ho had seen in any part of tho colony. He was amused at Mr Lysnar attempting to make out that tho prohibition movement was just about dead, and only required him to go and bury it. (Laughter.) He quoted figures showing the progress made by the prohibition party during tho last six years. On the motion of tho Bov. B. F. Rothwell, seconded by Mrs Scott, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Lysnar for his address, and at a quarter past ten the debate was adjourned until Monday evening next.