SOCIAL REFORM.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 794, 26 October 1904, Page 4

SOCIAL REFORM.

Recently a leaflet was issued by the New Zealand Alliance headed " Arrests for drunkenness in New Zealand 1889----1903." This production was signed hy Alex. S. Adams, Duuedin (President), John Dawson, Wellington (Choirman of Executive), and Frank W. Isitt, Wellington (secretary), who bespoke "the earnest attention of the editors and the clergy of the colony to the grave fact that the 88,729 arrests for drunkenness reported by the Police Commissioners for the five years ending with 1903 represent the arrests of 20,000 separate persons during that period." This was followed by statistics and other statements in reference to the same subject, the signatories concluding with the following remarks:—" A very grave problem evidently presents itself in these facts to all who desire the well-being of our land. We can nowhere read of anything that justifies hope of any improvement resulting from State, Municipal, or Company control of the liquor bars. To us the one remedy is that the axe be laid to the root of the tree; but we again ask those to whom we appeal to deal with the subject with a gravity that its seriousness demands."

Messrs Adams, Dawson and 'isitt evidently consider it appalling that 20,000 persons should be arrested for .drunkenness in five years in a small community like New Zealand, and even supporters of the liquor party will admit that the record is nothing to be proud of. We have been told that the one remedy is that " the axe be .laid to the root of the tree;" in other words that the sale of liquor be prohibited by Act .of Parliament. No other plan has the support of the New Zealand Alliance; it wants drastic measures for the suppression of a social custom that prevails in every civilised country under the sun. That' the leaders of the Alliance are thoroughly earnest 'in the cause they have undertaken no one can deny, but whether their methods will ensure sobriety is a

different matter entirety. In the first place the statements made in the leaflet are extraordinary in view of the claims .niade by the Alliance regarding its success in the Prohibition movement. The only interpretation to be placed upon the figures quoted is that New Zealand has become a more drunken country during 1889----1903 as compared with the preceding five years, and if that is so, although we should be sorry to make the admission, there is absolutely nothing in the contention of the Prohibition party that their movement towards temperance is yearly gaining ground. The Alliance officials, unwittingly have placed themselves in an illogical position, and their explanation will be awaited with interest. Apart, however, from this phase of the question, the fact remains that the Prohibition Party want to make the people sober by Act of Parliament, a stupendous undertaking which offers little hope for success. The great bulk of the people in this colony are advocates of temperance, but they will not be bound down by legislation which they regard as an infringement of their rights as of free people. If the prohibitionists imagine that most young men consume liquor because of a love for it they are labouring under a delusion. The fact is that no effort is made outside of the four centres to provide amusement and recreation for young people, and numbers of men are driven to hotels for the sake of companionship. Palmerston North supplies a case in point. There is little or no entertainment for young men in this town, and those who appear to care less for their welfare are those who rail the loudest against hotel bars and the liquor traffic. If the Prohibition Party desires to encourage temperance let it throw its weight and influence into some such movement as the New Zealand Young Men's Movement, and it will find in the course of a few years that legislation is not necessary to ensure sobriety, but that this desideratum is more easily obtained by providing means for developing the physical and mental powers of young people.

From and after November Ist next the train service is to be altered as advertised in to-day's issue. It will be noted that the trains mil leave Palmerston for Wanganui and intermediate stations at 7.10 a.m., 1.9 p.m. (the express), 12.10 p.m. (in place of 1.45), and 4.50 p.m.; and for Wellington at 7.10 a.m. (in place of 6.50), 11.40 a.m., 3.37 p.m. (the express now leaving at 4.20 p.m.), and 5.0 p.m. (the train now leaving at 5.20 p.m.). Trains will leave Palmerston for Woodville at 8.15 a.m.,' 11.40 a.m., 1.15 p.m. (a new tram), and 5.10 p.m. The service to and from Foxton is to be the same as hitherto, except that the last train on Saturday swill leave Palmerston five minutes later.

On page 2 : Telegrams'and cables. Oh page 3: General news. On page 6: Apiti news, letter from Mr Hogg re cheap coal. On page 7: Report of last night's Borough Council meeting.

At Timaru, a line of seven bullocks, described as "walking mountains of meat," realised JEI4 each.

Athletes are reminded that the nominations for the mile race, King's Birthday handicap,, and phopping event for the Horowhenua Athletic Club's sports, Levin, close on Friday next, 28th inst., at 8 p.m.

To-morraw night at the Broad-street Methodist Church, Mozart's 12th Mass is to be repeated. Preceding the production of the work, vocal items will be rendered by Mrs Richards and Mr Poad and instrumental solos by Mr Kitchen and Mr Tombs. The final'rehearsal takes place this evening.

Mr W. U. Healey, a former resident of Palmerston, died at Nelson last evening. Mr Healey took up his residence m some years ago for the benefit of his health. He was amon» the earlier residents of this town and his death will be heard of with deep regret by old settlers.

At a meeting of the general Committee of the Bowling Club this morning it was decided to arrange a visit to Wei lington on the 9th November, when matches.will be played, if convenient, with the .Victoria, Thorndon, and Wellington Clubs.

A man named Oscar M. Hawson was arrested at Shannon yesterday, by Constable Bree, on charges of alleged theft as a clerk, of several small sums of money, the property of W. H. Gunning storekeeper, Shannon. Accused was brought before the Court yesterday and remanded till Monday at Palmerston

The Eketahuna Express gets home on along-winded subscriber as follows-— A man to whom we recently appealed for payment of a long-standing account, replied, asking,'*" What do you take me tor? We take him for a pendulum, for he is strong on the "tick." We shall get the Magistrate to wind him up one of these fine days.

A young man named Henry Hi»a ms alias Wiggins, was arrested this morning by Constable Minogue, on warrant from Wellington, charging him with leaving his usual place of abode, Wellington, without making provision for the support of his unborn illegitimate child. Accused was subsequently brought before MrThomson, S.M., and remanded to Wellington.

I An animated discussion took place at the Borough.CoancU last night upon the report presented by the Opera House Committee particularly with regard to certain alterations from the original plans without the authority of the Council The discussion was interrupted by the adjournment, but will be resumed on Friday night. In the meantime Cr Haydon has given notice of motion as follows:—"That no alteration whatever from the plans and specifications of the Opera House building be sanctioned by the Opera House Committee without the permission of the Council bein« first obtained by resolution, and that no moneys be expended on Opera House account without express resolution- of the Council."

Spectacles to suit all sights, at Whiteford's "Pharmacy, the Square.*

There was a clean sheet in the.criminal court1 -both yesterday and- to-day, a somewhat" unusual occurrence for several months past.

. To-morrow Mr E. Larcomb, on hehalf of the Acclimatisation Society, will liberate 15,000 brown, trout in the Fitzherbert streams. '' '■ *

His Excellency the Governor has written to the Manawatu A. and P. Association stating that he hopes to be present at the Show on Thursday, November 3rd/ -.'■•''.

A pretty story is being told of Oyama, Chief of the Japanese General Staff. During his service as judge advocate at Tokio he attended the ball one night. He was standing near a doorway at this ball, when a beautiful European woman swept by, and so greatly did her charm * impress Judge Oyama, that he exclaimed involuntarily:—" What a lovely woman!" She overheard him. With a little smile she looked back over her white shoulder, and, recognising him, said: " What an excellent judge 1" *;

The man Alfred Sej'mour, with. several aliases, at present awaiting trial in Palmerston on charges of theft of harness, w ras yesterday committed for trial for breaking and entry at Wanganui. There are about eight charges of larceny pending against the accused in Palmerston, including charges of theft .of harness, tools, etc., three charges of horsestealing at Foxton, Pahiatua and Palmerston, and alleged attempted breaking and entering. When arrested accused had skeleton keys upon him and they, also, will form the subject ot a. charge. The charges will, probably, be I heard on Monday.

A special meeting of the Borough Council will be held on Friday night, at the request of Crs. Essex, Jack, Browning and France to consider the advisability of dissolving special committees set up in connection with the following : — Sanitary Inspector's Appointment, Transfer of Borough Offices to Library buildings and Extended Water Supply ; also, that the Staffs Committee be discharged, and the Council thereupon debate the question of re adjusting the Council's staff as at present constituted. It is understood that Cr Essex will not now proceed with his motion for the termination of the engineer's engagement.

At the S.M. Court this morning Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M., mentioned the case of J. Chambers & .Co., Ltd. (Mr Cooper) v. E. Andreson and J. J. Patterson, trading as Andreson and' Co., sawmillers, Utiku (Mr Moore.) Yesterday proceedings were stayed pending a decision by the S.M. upon a nonsuit point raised by counsel for the defence that plaintiffs were debarred from action till the last of a series of bills given by the defendant company had been dishonoured. This morning Mr Thomson said he had decided that the giving of a series of bills suspended action until tha last of the bills matured and was dishonoured. In the present case the only effect of the decision will be to postpone litigation till November Ist, unless arrangements are made in the meantime.

The Christmas number of tho Otago Witness is to hand, and is in the front rank of the special numbers of colonial weeklies. It gives a brief history of the Maori race, under the title of "The Brown Sea-rovers and their Home," the descriptive matter being from the pen of Mrs Wesley Turton. The illustrations are excellent, and include portraits of well-known Maori chiefs, their customs and modes of life, some of the old pahs, and photos, of Lieutenant Shortland, Captain Hobson, first Governor, Judge Maning, Colonel Wakefield and E. J. Wakefield, Major Kemp, Sir George Grey, General Chute, Major Yon Tempsky, Bishop Selwyn and others. Many other illustrations of scenery and New Zealand birds are given. The Christmas Witness is, this year, a particularly acceptable number.

An accident, which terminated fatally for a local carrier named J. D. Evans; occurred on Saturday. Evans was engaged by Messrs Gattsche and Co. to convey a load to Rongotea. While returning with some empty barrels, there seemed a possibility of a collision with a cart driven by a boy. Evans put his foot out to push on the brake. He missed the brake and fell off the vehicle, a barrel, it.is stated, falling on top of him, f.nd the wheel going over him. The" injured man was brought to town to his residence m Taonui-street and then removed to the hospital, where, despite every care he died this morninc. His injuries mcluded a ruptured Mdnev. He leaves a wife and family of five children, whose ages range from two to eleven years, to mourn their loss. Evans was for some years in the employ of the Borough Council, and was well known in Palmerston. An inquest will be held to-morrow.

At a meeting of business men at Dannevirke on Monday morning, to consider the matter of forming a holiday association, the question of. observing a, holiday on the people's day of the Palmerston Show was discussed. The chairman (Mr J. Drummond), strongly opposed the suggestion to close on that day, saying that the Palmerston tradesmen kept their .shops open and marked their goods down at a specially low price to catch customers from outside towns. He thought they should keep open as a protest against that sort of thing, and S7w -i yd ? vii c Pahi*tua, Woodville and Feilding to do the same. He moved that no holiday »c observed on Friday, November 4th Mr Wylie moved as an amendment, that a holiday be observed, statmg that the show had'srown too big to be influenced by anything Dannevirke might do. MrG Potts afso remarked r,PnL f r.fUSal 0f the Dannevirke people to close.would not affect the show—it would only be laughed at. Mr Dr Ummond replied that no ° matter how big it w-as, every little would help to bring it down. All they wanted to^ee was that the Palmerston shop-keepers closed when they, asked other Jeoplf to close. On the amendment being put ifc carried by 7 to 4. Mr D^Lnd and those supporting him have evidently not made themselves acquainted with the practice of Palmerston shop-keepers during show week. The businessTpe?pL v_S 1S *?™? loße *™' half-days in' the «eek, which is a good concession to employees, and to ask for anything beyond that is unreasonable. Mr DrurSnd's ollf tT- *° & SOme of towns to join Dannevirke in " brin-^m" down the Palmerston Show," i s Sost S_r- Pno°S al that haS bee»b™Sht

McSorSSnS *"**** *

. „- }° 10s hm. has arrived. y om . rmrnediate inspection invited.—Clarkson s, Coleman Place.*

• Ask for Puponga coal. It makes the nest fare, no soot and little cleaning in the grate or range. First class for steaming purposes.-1