NO-LICENSE IN MASTERTON

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1930, Page 9

NO-LICENSE IN MASTERTON

TWENTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY ADVANTAGES TO TOWN REVIEWED. BOOM IN 1930 BUILDING FIGURES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Masterton, Last Night. The twenty-first anniversary of nolicense in the Mast er ion district, was celebrated to-night at a largely attended public demonstration at which addresses were given by the Hon. L, M. Isitt and Mr. J. McCombs, M.P. The following motion was carried unanimously:. “That this large and representative gathering of citizens who on this September 23, 1930, are celebrating the twenty-first anniversary of no-license in Masterton expresses its appreciation of the great benefits derived from the closing of public house bars. The population has steadily increased from 5182 in 1911 to 8485 in 1930. Crime has decreased; con' 1 : victions for drunkenness in 1909 with little more than half the population were 287, while last year there were only 32 persons convicted of drunkenness and these in many instances were persons who had come from neighbouring towns. “The Post Office Savings Banks deposits have increased from £66,733 in 1909 to £314,630 last year. In 1918 the capital value of the property of the borough was £1,201,395, in 1928 it was £2,298,141. The value of property has considerably more than doubled in ten years and still the town grows. In 1928 building permits were granted amounting to £47,762, in 1929, £53,248, and during the year ending June 30, 1930, permits amounted .to £83,847. In many ways the town has improved. “The amount spent on liquor in New Zealand is £6 per head. This would have meant £500,000 annually in Masterton. This money has been spent in a manner which has made the town more prosperous, morally gleaner and the people happier, and this meeting pledges itself to work with enthusiasm and sacrifice to retain no-license in Masterton.”