MR JOHN G. WOOLLEY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12137, 2 September 1901, Page 2

MR JOHN G. WOOLLEY.

'IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZKALAND I FROM A I'HOIIIBITION STANDPOINT. Mr .lolm fl. Woolley, American proliibilion orator, whoso public addresses in (lie 'north have caused considerable stir, especially in the teetotal world, arrived on Saturday night from Waimaln by Hie north express. At the railway stationJn'r and Mrs Woollcy were introduced liy the Rev. ¥. W. Isitt (who had accompanied the visitors on their tour from Now Plymouth) to a number of ladirs and gentlemen, who bad assembled t In greet them, prominent amongst them be- ' ing Messrs F. Graham, .1. .logo, .1. limes, E. Evans, D. C. Cameron, and A. S. Adams, Miss Powell and Mrs Mazengarb. 'J'he welcome over, Mr and Mrs Woolley were driven away to the residence of Mr A. S. Adams, in Cargill street, where they will I bo entertained during their stay in the city. By the courtesy of Mr Adams, a representative of the Daily Times was accorded ,i short interview with Mr Woollcy immediately after his arrival. This prohibition advocate brings with him a strong American atmosphere: his first greeting was sufficient assurance of his origin. He has a considerable platform reputation, but in conversation is linamuming to a degree, approachable, and affable. Mr Isitt suggested that a parade of his platform perfoimancee'when engaged upon his late Presidential campaign would be interesting (for as has bsen already stated, Mr Woolley was a. candidate at the last election for the American Presidency). "Don't put that in l(V interview," was the immediate rejoinder, the emphasis on the ltv being very significant. In appearance, faintly reminiscent of Mark Twain, but a man in his prime, an optimist, but far from a dreamer, wearing a moustache, and spectacles, first impressions of Mr Woolley are favourable. He is nlert and wide awake. There was nothing formal about the interview. It took place around the supper table, Mrs Woolley, a vivacious little liii'.y, occasionally interjecting a good-humoured remark upon the manner* and customs of newspaper interviewers. Mr Woolley had bis hand bandaged and his arm in a sling. Scenting the possible outcome of an encounter with some up-country liquor man, the interviewer hastened to inquire the cause. " Carbuncles," was the terse reply, and carBimcles, although painful, promised no sensational copy. " My husband has been kept going, speaking and travelling, ever since we landed in Auckland," said Mrs Woolley, "and he's a bit worn down." The conversation snon reverted to that one topic which engages) Mr Woollcy's mind, almost to the exclusion of any other—viz., prohibition. Evidently alive to the advantages of being interviewed, Mr Woolley expressed his willingncfs to impart all the required information, more especially as its publication was likely to help "the cause." Deliberate in his enunciation, he seemed to weigh carefully every word he uttered. "What is the precise object of your mis sion to the colony, and what definite results di you aim at attaining?" was the first question Mr Woolley was called upon to answer. " My first object," he replied, "is to inform myself about the reform conditions here; and my second to render any aid in my power to the prohibition movement during my visit by speaking upon the subject or prohibition, without reference, however, to local matters, but in general lines. As to results, I can hope for nothing but that, perhaps, the seed I sow may bear some fruit later on. We prohibitionists, you know, do not spend much time in thinking about results," " What sort of recaption did you have up north?" Mr. Woolley Bmiled: "Our reception at Auckland was of a most enthusiastic kind. AVe landed on July 30, and were received by the President of the New Zealand Alliance and representatives of the Auckland, Olago, and Canterbury Councils of the United Prohibition Council. All the non-Episcopal ministers and one minister from the Anglican Church were present. I was entertained at a public breakfast. Our progress through tho North Island was like the reception at Auckland—a triumph of hospitality on the part of the people, fireat audience!" greeted us in every town, and almost without exception the local press seemed to be cordial to the movement." "How do our New Zealand audiences compare with thoso you bave been ncein> tomed to address in America?" "Smaller, naturally; but not so proportionately to population. Your balls are smaller, and that limits the audiimc.ee, in almost every place the halls were filled, and people had to Iμ turned away. Your audiences are more demonstrative than in America, and, I should judge, more impressionable." " And bow does this colony strike you, Mr Woolley, as a field for an experiment in national prohibition?" ,! Tt strikes me as the meet favourable place in the world for such an experiment," came the ready reply, "ami," he added, after a moment's pause, "the most hopeful of realism? it at an early dale." "And by what course of reasoning do you arrive, at such a conclusion? Again the -eply came quietly: "By reason of the geographical position of the island?— situate far from the great centres, from the homogeneous population,—the stron? religious strain in your people, the plain presence of thn British respect for hiw as such, and above all from your spirit of reform and cif independent thinking about civic matter*. In the T'nired Stales the people do not rule: government is by parties, in New Zealand the government if given, or ought to bs given, into tho hand; of the people, and if not it will he their own fault." "Now for another question, Mr Woolley: do you deem it possible to educate public opinion in New Zealand up to prohibition point?' There was no indecision about the response: " T consider it entirely probable, and, compared to other countries, certainly possible. to educate public opinion in New Zealand up to the point of national!prohibition; in Sect. I think th« work already done within the. List 10 or 1!! years is one of the most striking illustrations of the uplift of public sentiment by a few determined and able a;rtators. It would not bn wise, no. in good taste, for me to prophesy as to the lime when prohibition can be accomplished liv legislation in this colony," continued Mr WnoUey; and there was an exultant rins; in bis voice as he exclaimed: "But it is