NO LICENSE OR LIQUOR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 216, 16 October 1914, Page 9

NO LICENSE OR LIQUOR.

THE MODERATE LEAGUE. A/well-attended meeting was held in the Chamber of Commerce Hall last evening for the purpose of listening to the objects of the Moderate League on the licensing question as put forward by the organiser, Mr R. A. Armstrong, and others. The chairman was Mr Alexander Boyle, and associated with him on the platform were several other well-known business men of the city. | In opening the meeting the chairman ] said that in putting before the meeting the sincere intentions of the league, it was necessary for them to realise that they were tip against a very serious opposition. An opposition which was untiring, unforgiving, and relentless, who could see no good in ; the endeavours of the league, and who were ungallant enough to describe it'as the mouthpiece of the liquor party. The league was in favour of continuance and absolutely against prohibition, believing that moderation, good example, and earnest endeavour to put on a sounder, and better footing all matters in regard to the liquor trade was a great deal more likely to do good to the community in general than an irritating law forced on every class; They must realise that there was a large and growing class in this country that were against freedom on the part of the individual, and should prohibition be passed it would only incite this class to further action in bringing about a state of affairs that had not existed since the days of Cromwell, In the past it had been taught that moderation in every form of enjoyment was not only an excellent example to those who exceeded,bbust s also was thoa right and proper way to conduct oneself. This precept seemed to have been entirely exploded, and unless people could live an outward life of puritanism they were condemned as sinners before the world. Personally, he had a horror of this outward expression of smug satisfaction)' preferring i;o see a moderate enjoyment of life in every sense, and a hatred of intemperance not only as regards liquor, but also in all matters that might tend to harm and prejudice the welfare of the country.. In conclusion he asked all present to do their utmost to extend the efforts of the Moderate League. OBJECTS OF THE LEAGUE. The national organiser of the league, Mr R. A. Armstrong, said that in taking up such a question at the present time it was made more difficult, since the war overshadowed all questions of minor importance; indeed, the promoters of the league had thought to relinquish their efforts for that reason, but the Prohibitionists had declared their intention of carrying on their propaganda, and it had been implied that it was of more importance than the war, but as to that he would leave the meeting to judge. Speaking of the endeavour to put the 55 per cent, majority proposal into law, he said that had that been done. National Prohibition would have been a foregone conclusion. The Moderates were not prepared to accept a law that they felt to be inequitable and tin-British, he said, and went on to expound the objects for which the league was formed. He wanted to make it clear that it was the use, not the abuse, of liquor that was defended. In the matter of prohibitory law a false code of living had grown up, said Mr . Armstrong, and he read the words of the Act in regard to National Prohibition forbidding, if that prohibition M'ere carried, the manufacture and sale of any brew containing alcohol above the stan- ( permitted. This prohibition meant , that no housewife could brew ginger-beer or cider without commit- , ting a breach of the Act as serious as though she distilled whisky. In addi- j tion to the social aspect of the case, ( there were other matters to consider. The loss in trade, beside that of the brewing trade, would result in about 20,000 people being put out of employment, and there were other subsidiary industries, such as barley growing—which would mean in itself a loss of

£200,000 per annum—and hop growing. In the Nelson province people wei'e enabled to live on small holdings, , through engaging in the hop-growing , industry, who otherwise would not be ; able to do so. THE COST OF PROHIBITION. Another effect of National Prohibition would be that emigration would 1 be discouraged, for people were not ' likely to come to a country in which they were to be deprived of pleasures to whieh they had been accustomed. The question of finance Avas also to be considered. The revenue from the liquor . trade was over' £1,000,000 per . annum, and though Prohibitionists had declared that Mr\Massey had said he could do without it, yet when the deputation waited on him with regard' to the redtiction in the licensing majority he said that the revenue could not be done without, and if it was removed would have to be placed in some other direction. Air Armstrong also ques--1 tioned whether the prohibitory law could be carried into effect, and . instanced the ease with which people in prohibited areas could get as much . liquor, and more, than they required. To enforce National Prohibition, he said, a fleet of revenue cutters would be required, coastguards also, and a small army of special police to search the homes of the people, for it should not be forgotten that in the long run the enforcement of law came down to a basis of physical force. At last elections 200,000 people had declared against Prohibition, and in this matter of coercing a great body of people against their desires it was impossible, j to bring the law into*effect. The Moderate League w T as protesting against smugness and hypocrisy, the possible corruption of public officials; and the community as a whole. He ! asked the meeting to remember that • the bookmaker had been prohibited,] and participation in Tattersall's i sweeps; yet the bookmaker sent out i his cards and the people still continued j to have their "flutter on Tatts." : EXECUTIVE APPOINTED. ] The Prohibitionists failed to differen- i tiate between use and abuse, and as j soon as the prohibition of liquor was! attained they would, as the chairman j had said, turn their attention to other things. Everyone knew r that most jof the abuses were due to lack of efficient control,/and it was not right that a social matter of the sort should be left in the hands of the Police Department. The Moderate League held that' there should be appointed a committee to i supervise any bargain entered into be- j tween licensee and brewer, or the re-' verse, and so prevent tied houses. | In conclusion, he hoped that all pre-] sent would enrol themselves as members j of the Association, and would remember that the league's attitude towards the Prohibitionists was defensive, but determined, opposition, and that in regard i to the Trade it was determined not to i allow anyone to jeopardise those social j pleasures which were the people's in-! alienable right. At the conclusion of the address a motion that a branch of the league should be formed in Chrietehurch, and that the convenors of the meeting should form an executive committee to form the branch, was carried on the motion of Mr E. G. Staveley, seconded bv I Mr W. H. E. Wanklyn. ' The committee formed is as follows:—Messrs Alex. I Boyle, R. C. Bishop, W. M. Joynt, Ar-j naud McKellar, T. E. Graham, and P. | A. Laurie (hon. secretary).