HOW NEW ZEALAND DEALS WITH DRINK.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13673, 11 April 1908, Page 7

HOW NEW ZEALAND DEALS WITH DRINK.

ARTICLE BY SIR ROBERT STOUT.

The London correspondent of the Wellington Post writes: The Chief Justice of New Zealand, Sir Robert Stout, contributes to the Chronicle an article entitled "How New Zealand Deals with Drink," , Speaking of the .working of no-license Sir Robert says : '/''lt is too soon, however, to gauge the results oo the people at large./ In only., one district (Clufha) has thertv been no-license for any period of time, j It is a farming district, and it may be xthat ncr-license* , while succeeding, in a farming 'district, will not' be... successful in a large town. In Ashburton and . Matanra, also farming districts, no-license has been in force for *only about three years. This may be said : That the 1 perpetual discussion of the alcholic question is, an education t « in itsetr> and* it jhftk'e's for temperance. Our refreshment cars qn our.;railways supply no alcholiq liqUqrs. Drunkenness such as colonial visitors say exists in .the large cities of England, Scotland, and Ireland,, is unknown. Women, do not visit bars for the, purpose or drinking, and intemperance among thorn is very v uncommon. • p. . • "Perhaps the most notable, feature in the' temperance agitation,'/ he goes on to say, "is the part taken by the churches in the demand for no-license. Forty years ago they took no part, and few clergymen were then seen on temperance platforms of at temperance meetings. The Presbyterian, Methodist (both Wesldyan and Primitive), Baptist and Congregational Churches, are How all strong temperance Organisations.' In some oFthe dioceses of the Anglican Church there is also a strong' temperance feeling in the churches, nqtably in th» dioceses of Waiapu and Canterbury. The Roman Catholic Church has taken no part in -the reform though a few priests have aided the no-license paTty."