Progress of No-License.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 10009, 27 November 1908, Page 1

Progress of No-License.

A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT. In the course of an interview with a correspondent of the Oamaru Mail, on the results of the recent local option poll, the Rev. F. \\'. Isitt sakl that when a man with o3 yeans' experience, in Xew Zealand was asked to compare its present outlook from a. temperance standpoint with its past he was tempted to be garrulous: and h_« coiiid not resist the temptation to institute a short comparison between 1870 and 1908._ When he came to New Zealand in 1870 he had withstood the object lessons presented to him by drink in London, Birmingham, Manchester, and several other large English towns and rural districts. The brief acquaintance he made with Auckland, Wellington, Christelnirch, and Dunedin in 1870 and early in 1871 did not open his eyes, .nor did his first eighteen months' lesideme in Balclutha. and his visits during that- period to numberless places between Invorcargill and Riverton, Tuapeka, Taieri, and the sea- coast. But after fully two years' residence in fialclutha, then a peaceful village except for the liquor bar, i.e had gained knowledge of frequent drink-created deaths within the districts he visited which gradually impressed his judgment and awakened his conscience to conilict with the chief destroyer of our race. In 1876 he left Otago, but. frequently visited it during the succeeding 18 years, and knows how hard a tightClutha entered upon when it won nolicense at the local option poll. For several ye.irs iieruo battle waged about the pioneer electorate and everything that the liquor-sellers, prompted by self interest, now say about Ashburton arid Invercamii: was said or shrieked aliout Clutha" They know that it is the cleanest electorate in" the Dominion. This year, though their capability to distort- facts is marvellous, they have not dared during the whole of the campaign to mention Clutha in support- of their statements as to the evil effects of no-license. Let the significance ci" the fact be noted that, though they have not hesitated to declare that the other districts which have closed the bars have, degenerated in consequence, though they have said of Ashburton and Invercargill everything they used to say about Clutha, though they have made a few attempts to discredit- even. Oamaru and Mata.ua, they have discreetly left C-jith.i s.vcrelv alone. It may be predicted that within the next three y-ars they will be talking loudly of the shocking' result of no-iicense in Oiiinemuri and Mastert.m. but will Ix- found talking cautiously if at all about Invercargill and Ashburton.

The frieixis of the cause in Oamani inav, added Mr Isitl, be very heartily cmigr.-iltiiat'.-d that they have given the liquor traders no loophole, and as heartily thanked for the immeasurable value ot the object lesson they have helped to set Ijefore the Dominion Not to the Dominion of New Zealand alone, for the words of visitors and the letters of colleagues in Australia have shown that this little colony of ours has 1 eeir privileir-cd to exercise, a widespread iulluciice. Everyone of the Australian States has watched its progress, expressed its hope that further progress should be made, and has since with a ring of exultation expressed thankfulness for its advance-. The reward of success is therefor,- -ivat to all those whose effort and vote, Twice helped to secure the position in which New Zealand stands to-day. And i! is a matter of profound thankfulness thai despite the unjustifiable handicap of the demand that we should secure- a majority of three-fifths over our opponents, we have secured no-liceuse for six additional electorates, with the certainty of a seventh when legal inquiry has been made ; and with strong probability that an eighth will also be secured. We have also secured reduction in nine districts, our victories iiivolviiur the closing of at least 125 hotel bars.

The following table in instructive: RECORD OF VOTINU IN THE FOUR. LARUE CITIES. —A uckland. — Continuance vote increased 105. No-license vote increased 2051. Majority for no-license increased from 272 to 2218. —Wellington.— Continuance vote deceased 903. No-license vote increased 1200. Vote increased from 10 minority to 2093 majority. —Christchurch. — Continuance vote dccreased_939. Xo-licensL- vote increased 1538. Vote increased from 1854 minority to 423 majority. —Dunedin. — Continuance vote decreased 471. No-license vote increased 2481. Increase from 50 .majority to 2952 majority. The returns to elate show the followin" votin":—For continuance 186,442, reduction 159,492, no-license 218,442, ToundTv an advance of 3500 for continuance since 19C5 and of 20,000 for nolicvuse.