THE REV. L. M. ISITT AND DR. BAKEWELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9491, 21 April 1894, Page 6

THE REV. L. M. ISITT AND DR. BAKEWELL.

ADDRESS AT THE CITY HALL.

Vesterday evening, at the City Hall, there was a large attendance to hear an address from the Rev. L. M. Isitt (the President of the New Zealand Alliance) in reply to Dr. Bakewell. The floor space to the barrier, and the balcony were filled to overflowing, while there was a fair number at the back of the hall. The Rev. Mr. Monro presided at the opening of the proceedings, there being some misconception to the time of opening; afterwards the Mayor (Mr. Holland) took the chair. After a few brief opening remarks from the chairman, The Rev. Mr. Isitt said it was not his fault that the proceedings that evening did not take the more interesting form of a debate. As tot-he financial aspect of the question, it had been telegraphed from one end of the colony to the other that Dr. Bakewell excused his demand upon the ground that he (the speaker) was paid for his work, and_ he did not see why he should work for nothing. He (the speaker) submitted that if Dr. Bakewell expected to be paid for his championship of the liquor interest he ought to have stated that when he made his challenge. But so far as the financial position was concerned Dr. Bakewell occupied a very different position to himself (the speaker). A twelvemonth ago, Mr. Isitt went on to say, ho had been a professional man, now he never mentioned finance, but left all to his committee. But he had made up his mind at the first that if he did debate with Dr. Bakewell not a penny should go into his pocket. So he had written to Mr. Macdermott saying that half the proceeds from the debate should go to a charity to be nominated by himself and half to a charity nominated by Dr. Bakewell. That gentleman, however, replied that he wanted half the proceeds for himself. Fearing that Dr. Bakewell wanted to back out he (Mr. Isitt) said he would agree to that, but this high-toned physician, this Old World professional man. this cultured correspondent of the Nineteenth Century, sent word buck to the man he had challenged that he would want 10 guiueas before lie would fulfil his own boast. Then because t.he man he had challenged could not by reason of public engagements accept the challenge, the man crowed, blustered and bragged like an ill-bred school* boy. Dr. Bakewell had said— He who tights and runs away, Lives to tight another day. He (Mr. Is.itt) would reply to Dr. Bakewell — He who fights, and then backs down, Deserves to be the scorn of the town. (Laughter). The speaker then went on to deal with the letters written by Dr. Bakewell. It was absurd, he said, to say there was no drunkenness in the colony, when the jeeular press chronicled for every second day in the year a drink death or a drink tragedy. He then went on to quote statistics to show that the drink bill per head remained about the same. Referring to the doctor's statement that chloral and morphine did more harm than alcoholic drink, the speaker said, admitting that were true, these things were under prohibition, and the doctors and chemists were responsible for it. (Applause). He then read the statements of several chemists as to the infreqnency of the use of the drugs named. And what ot tea? (Laughter). Would any sane man say that tea did the harm that alcohol did? The doctor simply made himself ridiculous when he brought in a parallel between tea and alcohol. As to prohibition embarrassing medical men, Mr. Isitt said that argument was based upon ignorance of -the simple position of affairs, for there was not a prohibition State where all provision is not made. At this juncture a collection was made, 'Mr. Isitt saying that the Helping Hand Band would get £1 or £2, and the rest he would ask should go to the reading-room and gymnasium at Sydenham. The Chairman here read a letter from Dr. Bakewell, stating that there had appeared a letter in that evening's paper containing a paragraph to the effect that he had been invited to a seat on the platform. That was quite true, and it would perhaps disappoint Borne people to find he did not intend to accept the invitation. (Hisses and laughter.) ■ ■The Rev. Mr. Isitt then resumed his address, combatting tiie contention that a small proportion of was due to drink, and that entire prohibition would be detrimental to the health of the population. In conclusion, he quoted statistics to uphold his contention that abstinence lengthened life. In conclusion, he said Auckland ought to be heartily ashamed of the recent licensing elections. Auckland had the disgrace of having the largest number of convictions for drunkenness in the colony. The rev. gentleman was frequently applauded during his address. A vote of thanks to the Mayor and to the Rev. Mr. Isitt concluded the proceedings.