THE ABUSE OF LIQUOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3586, 11 March 1914, Page 4

THE ABUSE OF LIQUOR.

GOOD ADVICE BY LOCAL BREYf ER. APPEAL AGAINST OYFRIXDULGEXCE. Quite a little u mperarice lecture was delivered by Air I). J. Barry, proprietor of the Gisborne brewery, when responding to the toast of his health at the banquet at Finlay’s Rooms last night. ‘T don't know what, i can say in answer to the kind tilings which have been said about mo to-night, " said Mr Barry. "I am a well-known character in the town, and you all know me. T am proud to say 1 have many friends in Gisborne, even among the supporters of no-license. 1 have no quarrel to find with the man or woman who voles no-license oi they conscientiously believe it to bo the- bosf'tliing. There has been no one more keejily opposed to the abuse of liquor than 1 'have been and still am. It is the people who abuse liquor who < au«o the outcry against drink, and who compel Us to put up such a strenuous fight every throe years.” Continuing. Mr Barry said he had a very good staff. Many were with him to-day who. had started wiih hum, nnd ho hoped they would continue witth him while he remained in business. (Applause.) “Of course,” he went on. ‘‘some of our temperance friends tell us that a man cannot remain in tile liquor trade without becoming contaminated. Well, I Tlavo been engaged in the trade in Gisborne now for 32 years, and I don’t think I am any worse than anv other man. (Applause.) The use of liquor is good, but the abuse of liquor, is very, vefy'bad. I have a’ways been strongly opposed to 'over-indulgence: so much so, in fact, that my temperance friends have more than om e told me that I should be on their side.” ‘‘Witib regard to my own staff.” he went on, “I make no ryst-riehon as to what amount of liquor they take; but a man who abuses liquor is no use to me, and certainly no use to himself.” This little homily bv the brewer of the celebrated ‘‘Gold Top” was listened to with keen attention by those present, who enjoyed the novel experience of receiving a temperance address from an unexpot ted quarter