CORRESPONDENCE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIV, Issue 7493, 17 April 1899, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE PROHIBITION CONVENTION. TO THE EDITOR. Sie,—As I attended some of the meetings at the Prohibition Convention in Dnnedin, it may be advantageous to mention some of the things I noted and the thoughts I thought. I believe the Conference was a success numerically. If all present were delegates there must have been a good representation. What some few half-hearted Prohibitionists and more whole-hearted liquorists have characterised as a set-back to the Prohibition Party at the last election was evidently not so viewed by that party itself, as amongst other things the vote for "No"License "throughout the colony had increased from 48,993 in 1894, to about 98,000 in December, 1896, or more than double. It was felt that although " No License was not carried in as many electorates as had been; hoped, it was the colony's loss more than the party'B, and that the colony-was-now-doubtless suffering, both socially and commercially, morally and financially, by its decision. The hope was expressed that when certain of the electors whose minds and hearts were yet open to conviction had been better advised, there would be a larger vote for Prohibition and a three-fifths majority secured in a good many electorates

Clntha was referred to as a means of education, as being a point; in the practice of what was preached. The facts with regard to this were incontrovertible ; and although owing to the action of Mr Justice Hawkins in granting three wholesale licenses, and of the Government of the colony in so altering the electoral boundary as to intrude one licensed promise upon the district, the prohibition of the sale of liquor was but partial, it had resulted in official statistics which had startled the colony of unbelievers and had already won a number to the right side The Liquor Party had often argued that sly grog-selling under prohibition would be a worse evil than license if self. The fact that several convictions for such selling had taken place during throe and a half years of " no retail license " showed that such illicit sales did take pl-.co ; but ifc was to be remembered that the Licensed Victuallers' Association and its partisans were deeply interested to see and make the one standing test a failure. And further, well-informed Prohibitionists had always admitted that there would bo some confirmed drinkers and some confirmed sellers who would violate the law, but had held that to illegalise the sale would in the main destroy the customs which create the confirmed appetite. The Liquor side of Clatha, said MiFrank Graham, was like a bog whose smell was stronger in the process of reclamation than when the swamp was in full swing. Sly grog-shops, with all their violation of the law, were coming to the surface only to reveal the lawlessness of license and its devotees. "The drained swamp revealed a good many offensive things, but they existed before, and were drying off." The strong public opinion which refused licensed sale would more strongly oppose and ultimately destroy unlicensed, more especially when the surrounding electorates joined bands on the same issue. "Very strong censure of the inefficiency of the machinery under which the local option poll of last election was conducted was passed ; and it was resolved to get this righted at next session of Parliament. Mr Bambridge, hailing from Clutha, spoke of the " renovation of and improvement in the business circles in Clutha." Bills were more generally met. A saw-mill-owner, who often had trouble with his men, the mill closed for days after a public holiday, now scarcely ever lost a day. The storemen with whom these men dealt had their accounts paid as regularly as the clock. "The majority of the electors in Clutha," remarked Mr Bambridge, " seem to know but little of the principles of No License, but they are learning a lot by the practice." Mr Guiness, of Tapanni, remarked how truly families had benefited—the parents finding themselves supported in the care of their children by the absence of legalised bars. A characteristic remark of the Rev, W. Ready is worth noting. Mr Ready said, " I believe in a sober heaven, and therefore work for a sober earth,''

There was a most hopeful feeling throughout. The religious elemenL in tho meeting was noticeable. There wero strong expressions of conviction that the movement was of God and must be worked under the direction of Him who was manifested to destroy the works of the devil.

The colony would be freed from the power of the curse and the loss resulting, just in proportion as persons of means, education, or influence, who were now convinced of the Tightness of the measure, would show their colors, and throw themselves into definite devoted work to win others to their side, and God would require of each of them, as of all men, thac they act as responsible agents on the ground of principle and not of policy.—l am, etc., Delegate.