LIQUOR LAW REFORM.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4127, 12 June 1874, Page 3

LIQUOR LAW REFORM.

EDITED BY THE HON. WILLIAM FOX, M. 11.8. [The Editor of this journal is not responsible for the ojiinions herein expressed. The column is solely under the charge of Us special Editor.] Mil BROGDEN AGAIN. This gentleman was so lost to all sense of propriety that he was no sooner returned to Parliament than he again spoke his mind .about the publicans. Wo clip from an English paper the following report of what he said on the occasion : “ On Monday week, at a meeting in the People’s Congregational Chapel, Sand well Road, West Bromwich, Mr. Alexander Brogden, M.P., presided, and in the course of the meeting said that, in the late contest, although it was very sharp and severe, he had greater pleasure in conducting it than in any former election with which lie had been concerned ; for although this was only his second return to Parliament he was an old electioneer, having been always connected with the Liberal party, and having been brought up under the shadow of Liberal influences all his life ; but during the late election he had never had to meet a deputation from the publicans. (Laughter and applause.) He supposed they took what he said at Tipton as sufficiently indicative of what his views were, and his conscience had therefore been at ease at not having to meet again men with whom he could not agree. (Applause.) He had no deputations from them, and lie could assure them he felt very much relieved ; he felt that ho was fighting on the right side, (cheers) and although for the moment their cause might not look so cheerful in other parts of the country as it did in this, yet that was no reason for any want of courage in the future. They might depend upon it the right would win, and they were on the right side. They were on the side of lifting the people of this country into bettor habits and better lives, and fitting them for that sphere of society in which they ought to move. (Applause.) Ho did not fear for the future. For the moment, they had not the opportunity of doing what they would like to do, but they could wait, and gird up their loins and strengthen themselves for renewed and reinvigorated effort, and that should be the motto that should bo adopted by every real friend of .the working people and of the temperance cause, and of every other cause which had the same good end in view. (Applause.)” In another paper wo find some further account of Mr. Brogden 1 h election, and its bearings on the Liquor Traffic question. They are as follows :—“ The conduct of our friends in two or three constituencies in the Midland district was so eminently praiseworthy that I should be sorry if it were permitted to pass unnoticed. And, first, I may mention the borough of Weduesbury, which is represented by Mr. Brogden, whose constant support of the Permissive J3ill lias long since brought down upon him the determined hostility of the licensed victxiallers ; but their opposition was worked up to something like a state of frenzy in December last, ■when the hon. gentleman, addressing his constituents at , Tipton, fearlessly denounced the liquor traffic, and boldly declared that he would rather bo rejected than be returned to Parliament by the votes of the publicans. • This was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. The publicans of Weduesbury at once resolved that every effort should be used to put an end to the parliamentary life of their representative ; and when their resolution was announced it was confidently predicted that the speech delivered at Tipton would cost Mr. Brogden his seat. It was argued that there were about 350 liquor sellers in the constituency, and that each one can influence on an average four votes, which with their own will make 1,700, a number Hufficient to turn the election. This mode of reckoning lias been very common of late, but I feel bound to enter my.

protest against it, because I believe it is utterly fallacious. We sometimes hear of customers ‘ putting- the screw ’ on the shopkeepers; but seldom are we told of the shopkeepers influencing their customers. lam not by any means disposed to under-estimate the political influence which the licensed victuallers are able to wield in many constituencies; but I am satisfied that their power would be very much diminished if, instead of truckling to the votes of the publicans, the religious people would heartily co-operate with the temperance men. How common it is when a candidate is about to be selected, to fix upon one who will secure the publicans’ votes ? And if the temperance men refuse to support him, then they arc vilified, abused, and denounced as traitors to their party. To every careful observer, it must be apparent that the time has come when the candidate who will be acceptable to the liquor sellers cannot be supported by intelligent temperance men, and therefore the political parties must make up their minds as to whether they null have the support of the drink interest or that of the temperance party, because they cannot have botlr. This choice has happily been made in Weduesbury, and the result proves that there is nothing to Ire lost by making common cause with those whose only object is to advance the best interests of the nation and increase the sum of human happiness. Every engine which sordid interest could devise or pelf could purchase was freely put in motion by the enemy. The tap was turned on to the fullest extent, and liquor was supplied in abundance to the native and imported rowdy, riotous roughs. Such was the commotion, obscenity, and uproar, that the powers of the nether kingdom seemed for the time to be lot loose ; but in spite of all, Mr Brogden was proudly placed at the head of the poll by a majority of nearly 2000 votes, and to this magnificent result it is publicly acknowledged that the united and enthusiastic support of the temperance men of both political parties very largely contributed, Weduesbury has set an example worthy the imitation of every constituency in the kingdom, and Mr. Brogden’s triumphant return is a proof that there, at least, the political power of the publican is unable to affect the representation of the borough.”