TEMPERANCE REFORM.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 182, 4 August 1896, Page 2

TEMPERANCE REFORM.

" Labour, Liberalism, and Liquor " were the three headings under which the Rev. L. M. Isitt discoursed at the Theatre Royal last evening in continuation of his mission in the temperance interests. Having combated a statement that drunkenness was almost entirely unknown in Nelson, Mr Isitt traversed lhe condition of the working classes, which in the old country he said was at one time little better than "whito slavery." Ho instanced cases of men with wives and families living on tho " fat " of the land — dripping — in a cottage and a pigstye, earning 10s a week. He portrayed tho helplessness of men living in subjection to the Church parson and the village squire, and contrasted their life with that of New Zealandera. While sympathising with the people he recognised it to be his duty, as that of all ministers of the Gospel, to try to advauce their happiness in the world as much as to preach of a better world beyond. If he thought that beer brought them happiness did they think he would oppose its use and attack the liquor traffic! But he know that it did not, and was not afraid to speak his mind. He had fairly challenged those inierested to meet his contention by analytical tests, but instead of accepting his challenge they only "wriggled." lie denied that there was any real nourishment iv alcoholic liquors and quoted the testimony of the great labour leaders and scientists in support of his assertion that beer was the " dry-rot " of the labour movement. Ho declared himself a Liberal. He recognised that political power had passed into the hands of tho people and spoke strongly of his feurs that unless educated to use that power rightly, the people wou.d perpetuate laws which would degrade them. In concluding Mr Isitt quoted Cobden as having said that " the liquor refoi m lies at the root of every other reform. ' To-night Mr Isitt will speak upon " The relations of woman to tho liquor traffic, her temptation and her duty." Mr Haddow presided at last evening's meeting and Mr J. W. Joynt will take the chair to-night. The last two meetings of the mission, to-night .and to-morrow night are announced.