LICENSING QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18235, 31 October 1922, Page 9

LICENSING QUESTION.

ROMAN CATHOLIC OPINION.

PROHIBITION ADVOCATES.

EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA.

I Published by JV.rranee<raenti.)

The last of a series of prohibition meetings addressed by visiting Roman Catholic speakers was held at the Town Hall last evening. The speakers were the Rev. Father G. Zurcher, president of the Roman Catholic Clergy Prohibition League, of the United States; Dr. A. B. O'Brien, of Christchurch; and Mr. C. Todd, of Dunedin. Mr. R. A. Laidlaw presided over a large attendance. The chairman said the "trade" had criticised the bringing of first-hand witnesses) to New Zealand to refute the misstatements made about the results of prohibition in America, and spoko of the money spent in this direction. But Mr. "Pussyfoot" Johnston was not costing the New Zealand Alliance one penny so far as his services as a lecturer were concerned. The Anti-Saloon League of America wan making a contribution of Mr. Johnston's services for the cause of prohibition in New Zealand. The expenses of Dr. Mary Armor were being paid entirely by the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Finally, Mr. Todd, who was instrumental in bringing Father Zurcher to New Zealand, was paying all travelling and personal expenses in connection with the trip. Father Zurcher was not costing the New Zealand Alliance anything at all, and his services could be regarded as a contribution by certain Roman Catholic laymen of Now Zealand. (Applause.) Confidence in the result of the poll was expressed by Mr. Todd. He stated that in touring the Dominion his party had found a strong feeling in favour of prohibition, and he believed they would reach their goal this year at least. Turning to America, Mr. Todd said it was a mistake to think ;that jts people were fanatics. No people were more ready to recognise a good thing or to scrap a bad one.

Experience in No-Licsnse Areas. Speaking of his experience in no-license areas in Otago, Mr. Todd said there were fewer bad debts and more stability under no-license. He had business connections in "dry" and "wet" areas, and he found business cleaner and better in the "dry" areas. It was said that poor accommodation only could be got in no-license areas, but the speaker instanced good hotels' in Invercaigill, Gore, Clutha, and Masterton. It was ridiculous to assert that the smell of beer made hotels good or bad. Moreover, it was unusual to see a drunken man in a no-license area. The figures relating to convictions .for drunkenness in "dry" areas were one-fifth of those in "wet" areas. It was said also that a town decayed when the ssla of liquor ceased, but the capital valuo of Masterton increased from £1,240,000 in the last year under license to £2,150,000 under no-license. In Oamaru, which also should be a decaying town, there ware 53 new buildings being erected, only one of a value under £400. Statements mado in the House that "dry" areas consumed more liquor per head than "wet" areas had been easily disproved. The satisfaction of "dry" areas with no-license conditions was proved by their retention of no-li ;ense.

Doctors and Alcohol. Di O'Brien opened his address by an attack on the propaganda of the " trade," deckring it was a wicked thing to say thiit doctors were going to plague &nd black guard the community if prohibition I were carried. For the " trade " to state that doctors advocated prohibition in order to out money in their own pockets was a eaame and a scandal. The opinion of the profession was taken with regard to alcohol by a secret ballot held in 1919. The result was never published, but the speaker said he was sure that the answ\xto the first question was practically unanimous—that alcohol was useful as a medicine. He was equally sure that the majority of the profession answered " No " to the second question—did alcohol as a beverage increase the efficiency of the people ? But the result of that ballot was never revealed, in spite of requests from Auckland and Christchurch medical men. As a result 62 medical men and women in Auckland made a public de/ claration that the abolition of alcohol ifs a beverage would greatly increase t';C health-of the community. (ApplaurTj. / At a meeting of the profession in Clristchurch, attended by 21 out of. 40 mw/otiTS of the profession in that city at tha ;;ime, a motion was carried by 20 to 1 alcohol as a beverage. Subsequently, the same resolution was supported on the public platform in Christcnurch by 24 doctors. In America, of the 140/JOO doctors who were members of the Medical Association, only 28 per orofc. applied for licenses to supply fchair patients with alcohol. Replies to fitt/JB Objections. " Some objection w> prohibition" were dealt with by Fs -.(.'it Zurcher, who spoke first of the argur: ir.v.fc that prohibition was opposed to perse )U, liberty. <Ho said that with a questio i such as this, involving the welfare )f. bandreds of thousands of men and the.«. dependent on them, their stronger brethren should be prepared to sacrifice thii.' liberty. He gave some moving t'i'a.nples of self-abnegation on behalf <>!i others, even to the supreme sacrinYe J.n Christian professions there was 'loffing so noble or eo beautiful as the jpmt of sacrifice for thoso in distress or mortal agony. In the eyes of God they were all one |i;reat human family and they should be willing to help their bro.herp wherever they were. And when th<?y knew that millions were suffering from the plague of alcohol; was it any sacrifice to cast their vote to suppress alcohol ? Again it was objected that 'the Turk, " the unspeakai/ie Turk," was a prohibitionist anH! from him were dedujec! the results following upon prohibition. Mahomet had stolen the total, abstinence idea from the Christian monasteries of his time, and had made o$ the Mahommedans a strong and vigorous race—by total abstinence. If the Christian nations were to maintain their prestige against these vigorous Eastern races, they must become the next 50 years more" united and more sober. {Applause.) It was said that for one Christian convert Britain had made in India uhe bad mnt ? e 100 drunkard's. Alcohol was called the ' Jesus poison" in Asia and it was Christians [ who were responsible for this monstrous blasphemy. ,

Conditions in America. Father Zurcher proceeded to a refutation oi the statement that prohibition in America was not an expression of the popular will. He quoted figures, also showing that the importations of drugs into America had decreased under prohibition and claimed that alcohol, and not proiiiEition, was the cause of the drum habit. After answering other objections to prohibition, Father Zurcher expressed his belief that through the speaking tour of his party hundreds of Roman Catholics had learned the truth about prohibition, and would this year vote fosr the abolition of liquor for the first time. (Applause.) His seven weeks in New Zealand had been like a march of triumph, and throughout the Dominion Roman Catholics and Protestants had worked hi unity. He was glad to think that, if the great triumph of prohibition camein December, Roman Catholics could claim to have had n part in it. At the close of the meeting, the following vote of thanks, moved by the Rev. Father Wright, was carried :—" This meeting of citizens of Auckland tenders its best thanks to Father Zurcher, Mr. Todd and Dr. O'Brien for their very excellent service ;n New Zealand m the cause of national prohibition. .Mnce Father Zurcher landed in N«» J Z(> «' and °. n j September 8, he has addressed SC! meet- ■ vngs from Invercargill to A«4J»J-JJ leave* for his own country to-mo.iow. him the joyful newj of J