PROHIBITION

Southland Times, Issue 20616, 15 October 1928, Page 6

PROHIBITION

A BRIGHT ADDRESS HUMOUR, WIT AND PATHOS “CATCH-MY-PAL” PATTERSON In the Victoria Hall yesterday afternoon a bright address on Prohibition was given by Rev. R. J. Patterson, of Belfast, Ireland. As the advertisement calling the meeting stated, Mr. Patterson’s address sparkled with humour, wit, pathos and drama, and it was obvious that the audience greatly appreciated his gift of oratory. The Rev. J. L. Robinson, who was in the chair, introduced Rev. Patterson as “catch-my-pal Patterson,” a man known throughout the world for his crusade against alcohol. “Catch-my-pal" Patterson did not deliver a formal address on the evils of alcohol. Rather he drew pictures from his own experience to show the horrors that there were in the world through strong drink. He related how his movement began in Armagh, Ireland, where he was stationed. A drunkard’s jesting remark that Mr. Patterson should get him and his five companions who were lounging at a corner beside a public-house to sign the pledge had led to a meeting of these six in the clergyman’s house. Inspired by Mr. Patterson’s earnestness the six drunken loafers had agreed to sign the pledge, a condition being that in two days’ time each was to bring in a “down-and-outer” to sign the pledge also. The men had kept their word and the movement had spread like a prairie fire. On the third night 31 men were brought in to sign the pledge. When hundreds had been reformed in Armagh, Mr Patterson had gone further afield and everywhere his “catch-my-pal” movement was a great success. He related the underhand methods employed by publicans—“devils in human form” as he called them—to win his pals back to drink. Free drinks and free suppers had been offered to wearers of the emblem of his league. When that failed they had imitations made of the emblems to lower the prestige of the movement. One publican had offered a young man who had overcome the drink curse a quart of whisky if he handed in his badge. The young man had done so and then had smashed the whisky jar on the pavement. When one woman whose husband had reformed had been asked if there had been a marked change in him she had replied that he was more like a friend than a husband. That might appear humorous, but underneath the remark lay untold misery suffered by the poor woman when her husband came home to beat her, swear at the children and kick the dog. Yet the publicans declared “Freedom is your heritage! Vote Continuance.” Was freedom not the birthright of women and children too? The liberty the publicans wanted was for drinkers to come in and put down their cash on the bar. Publicans also declared that their hope as a trade was in the children. It was, because the drunkards were dying and if the hotels, the human slaughter houses, were to be kept going, children had to grow up to replace the dead drunkards. He had seen publicans gathered round a drunkard's grave. Then they had gone back to their bars to .get more victims. The churches should rise to abolish the whole damnable business, for a damnable business it was. Referring to America, Mr. Patterson told his hearers not to believe all that they read in the Press, for many newspapers were at the mercy of vested interests. Drinking was to a certain extent still going on in America, for no law was ever perfectly enforced. In New Zealand stealing still went on, but not nearly to the same extent as if there were no law against it. So it was with drink in America. He concluded w’ith an earnest appeal to all to do their best to win the day for Prohibition at the coming poll. A short address was also given by Dr. j Merrington who appealed to his hearers not to let Invercargill suffer Ohinemuri’s fate of returning to license and having a greatly increased toll of crimes. Any movement towards restoration should be sternly opposed. Dr. Merrington concluded by moving a very hearty vote of thanks to Rev. Patterson for his sterling and brilliant address. This was carried by acclamation.