NO-LICENSE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16602, 14 July 1914, Page 8

NO-LICENSE.

MEETING AT ASHBURTON. [From Quit Correspondent.] l ASHBURTON, July 13. The first of a series of prohibition rallies under the auspices of the Ashburton No-licenso Council was hold in the Theatre Royal, Ashburton, tonight. Mr J. Davison, Deputy Mayor, presided, and there was an attendance of between five hundred and six hundred people. The chief speaker was Mr HD. Bedford, of Dunedin, and lie gave a forcible address on the prohibition question. He dealt very freely with the whole question of the liquor traffic, and also with the revenue question in tho event of national prohibition being carried.

Mr A. Toombs, the local organiser 1 for the. No-license Council, made an appeal for funds to carry on the campaign. The following resolutions were carried : —(1) “That this meeting of over <SOO people emphatically contradicts the statement carried by resolution at a recent local meeting of less than thirty persons that 110-license lias enforced debasing and degrading systems and practices upon Ashburton, and this meeting further affirms that in Ashburton no-licenso has considerably reduced drinking and drunkenness and all its attendant evils.” (2) “ Whereas the opponents of prohibition have always urged that the 00 per cent majority was necessary on licensing questions for stability, and whereas these same opponents arq, now by resolution urging that restoration should be carried bv a 40 per cent vote, be it resolved that the Prime Minister’s attention bo called to the renouncing and repudiating of their ‘ stability,’ sophistry.” Both resolutions were carried unanimously, and Mr Bedford was accorded a vote of thanks for his address. MODERATE PARTyIn’tIMARU. [Pf.p. Press Association.] TIMARU, July 13. • A meeting of representative citizens, including leading commercial and professional men, was held here to-night, when a Moderate party was formed for the purpose of combating the nolicense movement. Committees were appointed,, and it was resolved to work strenuously with other parts of the dominion in the matter.