THE NO-LICENSE CAMPAIGN

Southland Times, Issue 16889, 14 November 1911, Page 2

THE NO-LICENSE CAMPAIGN

ITEMS or INTEREST. (By “ Argus.") (Published by Arrangement.) IS YOUR NAME ON THE ROLL ? This Is by far the most important question that the electors should answer during the next few days. An examination of the main roll shows that the supplementary roll will be a very large one, if all those whose names have been apparently omitted take the trouble to enroll. The process is such a simple one and entails so little trouble that it is astonishing that so many people fall to enroll or leave it to the last minute to do so. Those who are in any doubt should call at once at the Registrar’s , .ffice or inspect the roll elsewhere. After this week it will be too late. The following extracts are taken from a small pamphlet written by a Maori missionary and issued by the N.Z. Alliance for the special benefit of Christian people who think they should take no part in the No-license campaign (it is to be hoped that their numbers are few). The pamphlet is entitled "Should Christians Vote Against the Liquor Traffic ?” The writer says : On voting day God will give us a golden opportunity of working that which is good toward all men—saint and sinner—the opportunity of striking out the “top line” and of removing this curse from our land. In this (Oroua) district there were about 12,000 adults in 1905. More than 90 Christians refused to vote that time. was lost by 90 votes, and the Chriatians who did not vote are responsible for the drink curse, and all the crime caused by it in the Oroua district, with its 12,000 people. In 1908 a Christian lady, whoso life has been blighted and whose home has been cursed by a drunken husband, said: “Last time I did not vote because I wasn’t sure what was right.” I said : "Do you believe the drink to be a curse, and do you wish to see it taken from the country ?” “Oh, yes i ! ! " she replied.” “Of course you do. 'Now tell the Government the same on voting day by striking out the top line ; for we are all asked the question on that day: ‘Do you want the drink?’” We thought that lady should certainly act. However, she read an article in a religious paper, by an evangelist, entitled “Should Christians Vote ? ” This prevented her from voting, as many others have been. Recently the writer had a conversation with some Maoris on spiritual matters. One man was greatly interested. I asked : “Do you believe in these things?” He replied ; “I certainly do ; but drink is my stumbling block. They will not let us vote, or we would send it out of the country. You people brought it. Oh, take it out of our way ! ” The writer preached many times at a certain pah. The Maoris lived on one side of the river, while the Europeans lived on the other. Just at the end of the bridge there is a public-house, which the natives pass to go to town. A good Christian preacher was stationed at this pah, but he got discouraged. The writer too, found no fruit for his preaching, and wondered why*

At last the Maoris said ; “tl is no use for you to talk and tell us what to do. That hotel stands at the end of the bridge, and we can’t pass it. We don’t want It. You pakehas put it there. Take it away ! You had power to put it there. You have power to take it away. Vote against it and take it out of our way. It is your fault. They won’t let us vote.” The writer knows many pahs in the same condition. Some years ago a poor drunkard left his old home and took up a bush section ; and there he lived a sober man, away from the public-house. By and bye he heard they were going to build a public-house afthe corner of his section. ■The man was broken-hearted, because he knew his curse. He went round to his neighbours with a petition, requesting them to sign it, for he wished to keep the hotel away. Pie pleaded witli his neighbours to help him, saying ; “If they build the hotel here I will be the the first man to fall.” The last time I saw him he was helplessly drunk ; and. probably, long ere this he has gone to a drunkard’s grave. If your name is not on the roll get it on or you cannot act. It is an unequal contest. Two on the drink side will be counted equal to three on our side. Do not think there will be plenty without your help. It may be that your vote will decide the matter in your district. The fesponsibility is great ! ! ! At the 1905 election they felt sure that Bruce would carry “No-license” with ease. A number of Christians did not feel their responsibility, and went to a picnic, saying : “There are plenty to vote without us.” They enjoyed the outing. They laughed and played all day, while the enemy worked hard. What was the result ? Telegrams were flashed all over the colony :—“Bruce lost Nolicense by 9 votes.” At last election these Christians wakened up to their responsibility and carried No-license. Oh, thqt ( all Christians would do the same ! WHY.DID HUTT FAIL TO GET NOLICENSE BY LESS THAN 3 VOTES ? In one house no less than six Christians failed to record their votes. In other houses the same sad thing occurred. No-license could have been carried easily had the Christians done their duty. It is extremely sad that when Christians who profess to love their Lord are responsible for the drink curse and all the crime caused by it for three long years. Christians, think of this ! If all of you do your duty, you can close every hotel In New Zealand. If every professing Christian acts, it can be settled at next- election ! Recently, in one district. No-license was lost by one vote. Later, when a young man was being tried for a crime caused by the cursed drink, a father wept, and told the Judge that No-license was lost because they were one vote short. "I was the one,” said he, “who did not vote, and am the cause of this.” No wonder he wept. Yesterday a professional gentleman came to me and told me that he knew that the drink would “do for him.” He said : “I know that it will get me under, hut what can I do ? The only thing is to vote It out of the country." Another said : “I vote against it every time, but as long as It is to be had I’ll have it. I can’t help it. The proper way is to take It away from us.” Surely it would be very good work to remove this temptation out of their way. ALCOHOL A DANGEROUS NARCOTIC. Alcohol has power to create a craving for itself. Each time the narcotic is taken it takes more to satisfy, till at last the poor drunkard Is quite in its power. He wants to stop, but can’t. The drink habit becomes a powerful disease, fend, if continued long enough, will force its victim down to the grave and down to hell. Every man and woman should rise against this drink-plague, and drive it from the country ! WHAT DO FACTS FROM MASTERTON SAY ? No-license has been the cause of this wonderful change for the better, and has almost abolished crime and drunkenness in Masterton, as the Court Records prove : Yr ended June 30 1909 1910 1911 Last year Ist year 2nd year Under Under Under Convictions No- Nofor License. License. License.

PRESS CRITICS. Last week I had occasion to refer to an article In the "Financial News," (London) In which the editor warned the Inhabitants of New Zealand that the probable effect of carrying national prohibition would be that the British investor would not be Inclined to lend us any more money. A gentle hint was also thrown out that we might make default in payment of Interest, and, lastly, that we might lose a considerable portion of our population. In reply X pointed out that we preferred to save our millions Instead of borrowing them —that no prohibition country or state had made default In payment, and that we were more likely to gain than to lose In population. I notice that the "Financial News” article is now doing duty in large type as an advertisement in some of the newspapers in the Dominion. It has, as a matter of fact, become part of the stock-in-trade of the liquor party and is used in connection with Professor Salmon’s pamphlet. Nearer home we have also a press critic. From a Press Association cable d notice that the "Sydney Morning Herald” is also giving us some good advice. The editor says : "That the absolute closing of the bars would be *a good thing there is, perhaps, little doubt, but it Is useless to legislate in advance of public opinion, and It would Involve a grave social evil If prohibitionists had their way. Let the prohibitionists convert the rest of the people if they can, but if they cannot the imposition of their ideal becomes social tyranny and is sure to be bitter ly resented and provoke a reaction which in the long run will be fatal to progress.” We have certainly not legislated in advance of public opinion, and unless the people are convinced that national prohibition is a good thing they will not vote for it. How the imposition of their ideal’ is to become “social tyranny” I am at a loss to understand. The hurdle of 60 per cent is a fairly stiff one and there can be no more tyranny in enforcing a prohibition law than there is in enforcing a law against the use of opium. Wo can at least be as wise as the Chinese Government —there they simply issue an edict against the use of what they know to be ruining thousands of their countrymen. Here we lie under a democracy and the people are asked to vote out the liquor. If they do so, by a large majority, there can be no tyranny in enforcing the law. In fact, to talk or write of tyranny under democratic rule is sheer nonsense. The “Sydney Morning Herald” need not be alarmed W e are getting on remarkably well in New Zealand in regard to prohibition matters.

Drunkenness .. 287 41 36 Vagrancy .. .. 25' 2 ■ 1 Obscene language 21 ■ • 2 ' 5 Theft .. .. .. 44 . 8 6 Indecent exposure 3 0 0 Malicious injury to property ... 5 1 1 Obstructing or resisting police 12 2 0 Totals .. 397 56 49