LORD HARRIS ON TEMPERANCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 655, 20 March 1879, Page 2

LORD HARRIS ON TEMPERANCE.

A somewhat interesting letter has been forwarded to one of the promoters of a recent flower festival, under the auspices of the Order of Good Templars, says the Sydney Evening Neios. Lord Harris had been invited to attend the festival, and the letter of invitation was headed with a motto bearing the Avords " Total abstinence t the only prerentative of intemperance. " The following is a copy of the letter sent in reply : — "Exchange Hotel, February 7. Sir, — From what I have seen in England I have come to the conclusion that total abstinence is not the only preventatire to intemperance ; and furthermore, far from being the most effectual. I hare taken considerable interest in the question, and am doing my best at Home to fight against this vice in this way — by erecting club houses in all important villages and country towns for the labouring classes. These clnb houses are conducted on much the same principles as any club for the higher classes would be, except that no spirits are sold, and the amount of beer to be drunk by any one number iii one day is limited to two or three pints. Each member pays a small weekly subscription (about 2d). Papers and games are supplied out of this, and we find that they are not only in great favour amongst the working classes, but, once built, they are self-supporting. I have so often spoken on the subject at Home, and expressed my opinion tlmt total abstinence is not the right way to go to wbrkj that I must ask you to excuse my patronising the festival ; but I should esteem it a favour if you would expend the small sum I enclose in flowers for the patients, as a sign that I thoroughly appreciate the object of the festival.— Faithfully yours, Harris."