WAR AGAINST LIQUOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14854, 4 December 1911, Page 8

WAR AGAINST LIQUOR.

NO-LICENSE DEMONSTRATION

AN ANIMATED PROCESSION.

ENTHUSIASM DESPITE RAIN.

An ocular demonstration, it has-been argued, will do more to drive home the truth of a contention than hours of speech and explanation; and, inspired with a desire to present their case to the voters in life-like manner, tho no-license advocates of Auckland held an animated demonstration on Saturday afternoon, the principal feature of which was a long and varied procession. •",'■',' Length, of the Procession. Early in tho day it. was evident .that strong' opposition to the demonstration would have to bo contended with in the weather, which was very unfavourable. The rain beat down in torrents when tho procession' started on its journey from the Grey Statue about 2.30 o'clock, and it continued to rain heavily throughout the afternoon. In spite of the unfavourable weather largo crowds viewed the procession, and Queen-street was thronged from the Grey Statue to Customs-street' with crowds of interested spectators. Tho procession, which was a very lengthy one, took half an hour to pass a given point. From the Grey Statue the procession proceeded down Queen-street, and thence via Customs-street West, Albert, Victoria, Hobson, and Pitt Streets, Karangahapo Road, to Park Road. The rain did not abate tho enthusiasm of the hundreds of children and ladies and gentlemen who participated in the demonstration, and merry voices could he heard singing the familiar air of "Strike Out the Top Line" throughout the journey. Tho bright decorations of the vehicles and fancy costumes worn by the children blended to make up a picturesque scene, the brilliance only being somewhat dimmed by tho rain.

Following the Garrison Band, the first] decorated lorry in the procession left the I starting point at the Grey statue at about 2.30, and when, over 30 minutes later, it ! had reached Karangahape Road by a cir- | cuitous route, the last vehicle in the big. train was just moving off. There were in" the procession, besides 180 vehicles of various kinds, scores of persons on foot, and | many boldly placarded signs on bicycles. After passing down Queen-street, they turned into Customs-street West, then by way of Albert-street, Victoria-street, Hob-son-street, Pitt-street, and Karangahapl Road, to Park Road, where, at 3.45, there was a general disbandment. Children Had Premier Place. The premier places throughout were given to the children, who, seated beneath umbrellas and under temporary shelters on brightly-decorated lorries, sang, temperance . songs, and repeated their .rallying cries as heartily as if the sun were shining overhead. The 1.0. G.T. Pride of .Auckland's display, which was in ' the forefront, .; was drawn by six fine gray draughts, mounted by postillions in blue and white uniforms; and tho lorry itself, 'like scores of others, was 'lavishly and effectively adorned with gay streamers and ribbons. ' -' > ; ". Close" to it*was a cab, containing the-.. • Hon. Geo. Fowlds; Messrs. C. H. Poole, W. J. Speight, and A. Withy, and others, with executive officers of the alliance. ...Signs-; calling attention to results of the' liquor traffic were everywhere - prominent. ' "With your, help, wo will win," was the inscription on one banner, and many lorries, carrying, children, were branded with the words, "Vote for us." - •'-' ' > • . "We enjoy no-license in Remuera," was the sign ono band of little ones held aloft, and others proceeded under a banner inscribed. "No Beer, but Joy."' For the crowd a good deal of amusement was pro--, vided by some red-faced tramps, "Drink Demons," . behaving* themselves in a boisterous manner round a capacious cask, and tho spectacle of a well-groomed horse with the sign "I Drink Pure, Water," and a representation of an old toper with the sign, "I Drink Whisky." .

, St. George and the Dragon. \ There was a big picture on one lorry showing St. George attacking the drink dragon, and' following it was a lorry on which was mounted a life-boat, manned by boys in oilskins, and witn the words painted on its sides, "To the Rescue." The Sunday-schools and Bible classes in the city and suburbs were nearly all represented by attractive and striking displays.' The Independent Order of Itechabitcs had their particular lorries, • and besides the Garrison Band, the City, the Central Mission, and the Salvation Army Bands were in the procession. " " v Tho organising committee, which had for its chairman Mr. Geo. Plummer, and, for its secretary Mr. John Banbury, has received much commendation on the result of its efforts. • . -'.■,::.. The downfall, however, continued so steadily that _ it was found necessary to postpone till a later date that part of the demonstration which was to be provided by squads of children on tho Outer, Domain. ,■ ■• .' MEETINGS AND ADDRESSES.' Many people were unable to gain admission to - the Lyric Theatre yesterday afternoon, because it was crowded by an audience interested in the licensing question. Hon. G. Fowlds presided, and briefly addressed the meeting;. afterwards the chair was taken by Mr. John Burton. Addresses advocating tho extinction of the liquor trade wore given by Messrs. W. J. Speight, C. H. Poole, and A. Withy. ; Large crowds were present at Quoenstreet Wharf yesterday afternoon, and at the' Grey Statue last evening, ' when Mrs. Barton delivered addresses in favour of prohibition! '.;""■' : An open-air no-license meeting was held at "the" top of Gundry-strcet, Newton, last evening, under the auspices of the Grey' Lynn Good Templars, there were about 2000 present. Mr. A. Withy, Mr. Poole, Rev. Ready, and , tho Rev. Tregear (of West Australia) spoke.