The Temperance Cause

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 268, 12 November 1936, Page 9

The Temperance Cause

ACTIVITIES IN PALMERSTON NORTH Rev. A. N. Scotter presided over tho annual meeting of the New Zealand Alliance, Palmerston North branch, on Monday evening. Tho report stated that during the year quito a lot of good work had been done in spreading literature among the Bands of Hope, the Women’s Christian Temperanco Union, tho Christian Endeavour branches, the Bible classes, and the “Y” branch of tho Rechabito Lodge. They had all been playing their part. It had been the pleasure of the secretary to visit most of tho churches in the district and place before their adherents tho work of those who laboured for temperance. Regret was expressed at the departure of Rev. H. L. Richards, who had done a great deal for temperanco when in Palmerston North. Mr. Scotter had assumed the office of president rendered vacant by Mr Richards’s departure, and had given worthy service. The officers for tho ensuing year were elected as follow:—President, Mr Scotter; secretary, Mr H. Grinstead; treasurer, Mr W. H. J. Watson; committee, Miss C. Jamieson, Messrs J. B. Gerrand, G. H. Stiles and F. Dorset. Tho secretary spoko in appreciation of the generosity of the minister (Rev. J. Hubbard) and office-bearers of St. Andrew’s Church in allowing the use of the church buildings, and a motion of thanks was passed to them. Rev. A. Blakemore spoke of requests made to the Government to extend liquor- licenses through a redistribution to areas whero there were no licenses. Having come not long since from Matamata, one of the areas mentioned, Mr Blakemore addressed himself to that question particularly. Matamata, he said, had been created a borough only about two years ago, having risen steadily to its present position from being only a hamlet. The licensing laws prescribed that a license could not be moved more than a mile a year in the country, and half that distance in town. The town being so small many years ago, no hotel had been established, and because of tho effect of tho law thero was none there today. In recent years the town had grown greatly, and the cutting up of larger farms into smaller areas was bringing a greater population to the district. So it was th ot a sito had been retained in Matamata in the hope that tho law would eventually allow the establishment of an hotel. The Matamata Chamber of Commerce had suggested that a license be granted, the hotel to bo run by the municipality. The Government, however, had not taken action and tho present Parliament might find the issue of transfering licenses a very large one because of the wide divergence of opinion in the Government’s own ranks.

Tho speaker made reference, in closing, to tho recent passing of Rev. Robert Haddon, who, ho said, had dono great work among tho Maoris for temperance interests. Mr J. Tyrcil Baxter, who eleven months ago came to Palmerston North from Oamaru, addressed the gathering on the experience of the southern town, which had been “dry” for over a quarter of a century. Crirno had been reduced to a minimum, he said; ono did not sec the effects of liquor, tho savings of the ordinary working people had increased, persons who had previously rented homes had bought, them instead, and the town was now a delightful borough because of the pride of ownership the people displayed in their homes.