The Native minister on the Temperance Platform. Wanganui September 4.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 169, 11 September 1886, Page 4

The Native minister on the Temperance Platform. Wanganui September 4.

The Native Minister supported by the Mayor, presided at Mr Matthew Burnetts temperance meeting last night. The theatre was crowded to excess in eveiy part. Mr Italian cc said it was the first time he had occupied such a position, but probably it would not be the last. He appreciated to 'the full the great work done by Mr Burnett, which had his heartiest sympathy. Addressing through an official interpreter a large number of native people present, including a dozen or more leading chiefs, who had places on the platform , Mr Ballance remarked that it had been said by DrVVon Haast in London that the native race would soon be extinct : but he felt that the prophecy need not become true if only the race gave up drink He appealed to the chiefs and young men to lend their aid to save their race from destruction. He had absolutely prohibited liquor in the whole of the King Country, but could not do that here, and musi; depend upon the natives banding together to help themselves in the matter. He felt so interested in this question that he had given orders for the print* ing of a large number of temperance cards in Maori to assist them. Mr Burnett then delivered one of his stirring addresses. Bis mission has been a great success.' Omitting last night's 800 pledges, including 250 Maoris, 3,000 pledges have' been taken in the week on this coast.