NO-LICENSE CAMPAIGN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 440, 5 November 1908, Page 3

NO-LICENSE CAMPAIGN.

PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT.

Tetter from mayor of INVERCARGILL. ♦ Misrepresentations Refuted. Town Hall, Invercargill, N.Z., October 29th, 1908. Mr A. Buchanan, Palmerston North. Sir, —I am much obliged to you for sending the Manawatu Daily Times of 26th October. lam not interested except as a citizen for or against No-License. It is a question that residents in each district must think out and act upon tor themselves. I am, however, greatly interested in maintaining the good name Invercargill is entitled to bear. Consequently I am shocked to think that those interested in the continuance of licensed bars in Palmerston should pervert the truth regarding Invercargill to the extent that is shown in the adveilistnient on the front page of the Times you were good enough to send me. The closing of the bars for the sa'e of liquor has been no disadvantage to Invercargill in any way. Crime in Invercargill Licensing District is less under every head. A drunken man is seldom seen in the streets, and when seen, has brought from or obtained the liquor that made him drunk in a Licensed District. Property has improved in value. Hotel property has also improved in value. The bar has been made into a shop, and the hotel let as a private hotel, and with the shop for the same rent and in some cases an increased rent over that paid when the district was a Licensed District. In every respect without exception the town has benefited by the adoption of No-License. I make this statement to you recognising the responsibility attached to the office of Mayor. Yours faithfully, W. M. Scanhrett, Mayor.

The following is the statement referred to and published by the trade :—“ No-License Invercargill shows 33 per cent increase for affiliation cases; 33 per cent increase for lunacy; 250 per cent increase for theft; 100 per cent increase for indency. This is NoLicense.”

What About Ashburton ? The Rev. Mr Whitehouse, Anglican clergyman of Ashburton, in an address at Christchurch recently said; “I defy anyone to show me a home in Ashburton where liquor enters to-day where it did not enter in licensing days. (Applause). I can point to many homes into which it does not go, but where it went previous to nolicense.” Mr Whitehouse opposed no-license before it was carried, but since he hp.s witnessed its splendid results he has become one of the strongest advocates of the reform. The vicar of Ashburton speaks at Masterton to-night in support of the Great Reform. Do not be influenced by misleading statements about no-liceuse in Ashburton and Invercargill. It has been a success. The carrying of no-license in these two electorates was a severe blow to the Brewers’ ring, and a desperate attempt is being made to win them back. The people do not want “ the trade ” restored, and after the next defeat the brewers will probably relax their efforts. Statements are being circulated by the liquor party in this electorate about Ashburton and Invercargill that they would not dare to circulate in those towns. The business men there have signed manifestos stating that no-license has been a success. Why do not the liquor party quote the- names of some business men who are prepared to say it has been a failure? The brewers know that it will be a tremendous monetary loss to them if no-license is carried in Manawatu. This is the only reason they are fighting so hard to prevent it. They know as well as all thinking people do, that if the electors study their own interests, and the moral and financial good of the town, they will strike out the top line only.