THE SOIREE.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 166, 23 July 1896, Page 2

THE SOIREE.

The Town Hall wns well filled in the eveniug, on the occasion of -the customary soiree ; and, after the good things provided in abundance bad been discussed, a public meeting was held. The Rev. A. H. Wallace presided, and in his opening remarks dwelt on the importance of the local option vote, and strongly urged those present to carry out the direction given on placards affixed to the wall — to strike out the top line providing for licenses remaining .is at present. The Roy. W. Woollass claimed that the Prohibition party was the party of progress. He credited the present Government with passing measures f"r providing for land for the people and women's franchise, and was certain the colony was on its way to prove in object lesson to other countries. They had the flower of the colony on their side, aud in spite of the opposition of the vested interests, etc., were bound to win. Mr J. S. Baxter came next, and gave his. version of the recent "schnapps case" in Invercargill, stating that a trap had been laid for him because of his opposition in respect to the granting of the license for one jf the Invercargill hotels under existing conditions. Contrary to his orders, given three years since, his shopman had, ou representation that it was required for an invalid, supplied a bottle of schnapps. The jubilations of those who had instigated the plot were short lived, as when the case was •jrought before the court, and tho matters leading up to the prosecution exposed, the gun went off at at the wrong end. Many of those engaged in the traffic had expressed to him their opinion that the action was a mean tnd detestable one, and so far as he was concerned it would but fan. his zeal in the cause, which he was sure was not only that of the people but that of God. He warned them not to blind themselves to the fact that 'the struggle would be a severe one, but to put forth every effort. The Rev. J. G. Ellis spoke on the morality of the question, holding that from the earliest times and in all countries the drink traffic had proved a mischievous and degrading one, and giving numerous instances in support of his assertion. The contention that the drinking of intoxicants had Biblical support was altogether erroneous, and those who know their Bibles best favored Prohibition. Prohibition would effect not only the greatest good to the greatest number, but the greatest good to all, and from the standpoint of political economy was thoroughly legitimate and moral, so that they might rest assured, when they struck ont the top line on the voting paper; they were doing one of the most moral actions they had ever done in ther lives. The Rev. J. T. Hinton was the last speaker, having for his subject the seoial aspect of the drink question. He instanced the growth of the movement, started some 70 years ago by the seven men of Preston, and the great change in publio opinion on the subject, especially in the colonies, alluding also to formation of the Bands of Hope — or prevention is better than cure — movement. Fifty years ago he had the pleasure of listening to J. B. Gough, who did not favor Prohibition, because he thought Prohibition was not practicable unless there was a strong publio opinion to sustain tho law. This they had now, however, and consequently the time waa ripe for the change. He urged thorn to* see that they were registered as electors and to let nothing stand in the way of their recording their votes. A strong choir, under the leadership of Mr Gilbert (Mrs Wallace presiding at at the organ), rendered several selections ; songs were contributed by Mrs Wallace and Mr Day; the Misses Morgan rendered a duet,

and recitations were given by Mr W. Boyd and Miss Victoria Cook. ' On the motion of Mr T. Ayson, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to all who had in any way assisted at the Convention. After the pronouncing of the Benediction, by the Rev. Mr Woollass, the meeting was brought to a close. -