CHECK OF EXCESSIVE DRINKING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 481, 1 December 1869, Page 2

CHECK OF EXCESSIVE DRINKING.

A public meeting, convtned by the Mayor of Cliristchurch at the request of the Very Rev the Dean and other requiaitionists, was held in the new Town Hall last evening, for the purpose of considering what measures could be taken to check the evils of excessive drinking. His Worship the Mayor of Cliristchurch presided, and amongst others on the platform were his Honor the Superintendent, the Very Key the Dean of Christchurch, C. C. Bowen, K.M., Egv Canon Wilson, Key J. W. Stack, Hey C. Fraser, RevJ.O'B. Hoare, Rev Canon Cotterill, Rev R. Po irell, Key W. J. Uabens, J. C. Wilson, C.8., Dr Foster, Dr Turnbull, Messrs J. S. Williams, J. Ollivier, Prins, G. Gordon, T. Nottidge, A. C. Cottrell, &c. The hall was densely crowded. The Chairman read the advertisement calling the meeting, and said that he was very glad to see that the subject had engrossed so much attention, as the present large meeting fully testified. There were a very great, number of gentlemen on the platform who were to speak that evening on the subject. It would therefore be unwise for him to address the meeting at any length. It was expected that their old friend, Mr J. E. FitzGeraid, would be in attendance, but he feared that they would not have the pleasure of seeing Mr FitzGerald that evening. He would now call upon his Honor the Superintendent to propose the first resolution. His Honor was warmly received. He said that the present meeting had been mainly got up by one of the very earliest settlers of Canterbury, and the object for which it was convened was to consider what measures to adopt to put a stop to the evils accruing from excessive drinking. The gentleman to whom he alluded was the Very Rev. the De.tn of Christchurch. (Applause.) He (the speaker) considered it his duty, holding the position he did, to give his fullest support to a movement which had for its object the social, moral, and religious welfare of the comm nity. This was a matter which rt quired legislative enactment, and he believed that the voice of . a meeting, such as> the present one, would have greater weight with the Legislature than anything else. (Applause.) This evil did not pervade one class alone, but was to be found in different phases in every class of society throughout the province, in common with every other part of the Australian colonies. He did not mean to stand there and say that Christchurch was worse, or as bad, as many other communities in these seas. In hid opinion it was not neurly so bad as other parts of the colony ; the people of Canterbury contrasted favourably with other communities. In 1863, the number of persons brought up at Police Courts in the province on charges of drunkenness was 215 males and 15 females ; in 1867, 105 males and 9 females; and in 1863, 55 males and 4 females. In the year 1863, with a population of 15,559 males and 1 1,»80 females, the imports of wines and spirits amoun ed to 121,567 gallons; iv 1867, with a population of 21,000 males, and 17,000 females, the imports of wines and spirits amounted to 89,606 gallons; in 1867 the total Customs revenue from wines and spirits was £45.061, while in 18P8, it amounted to £41,973. In 1863, the import of ales amounted to 222,011 gallons, valued at £43,443; and in 1665, the import was 83,504, valued Ht £21,921. These statistics clearly shewed that drunkenne 8 was on the decrease in Canterbury. He believed that the effect of this meeting would be exceedingly good in this community. There were many ways in which the evil could be put down. He did not look, so much to legal enactment or coercion, .but to the growing good sense of the community. The decrease in drunkenness in Canterbury was due, in a great measure, to the amusements for which Canterbury was pre-eminent. He believed, too, that it was <ue in a great measure to the fact that men had not so much loose c-tsh now-a-days as formerly. His Honor paid a high compliment to the police force, and in conclusion, trusted that Canterbury would lead the way in blotting out this great evil. He begged to move, " That the evils arising from excessive drinking call for social am) legislative reform." The Very Key. the Dkan of Christohubch was loudly applauded on coming forward to second the resolution. He little thought that the little paper which he had prepared for a former occasio.i would have givtn rise to so much discussion on the sub ject of excessive drinking. This evil was « stain on any Christian community, and the time had really arrived when it was necessary that steps should be taken to blot it out Social and legislative measures must go hand in hand. Coercive legislation must not be utterapted. Let them seek for that kind of

legislation which would be practicable, and if they failed in one session, let them try again and again until they succeeded. One point n their favour was the fact that the pns nt Prime Minister (Mr Fox) had declared him- ! self a total abstainer. (Applause.) It was I true that they could not make a man sober by legislation ; neither could legislation mike a dishonest man an honest one. He hoped it would not be considered for a moment that the present movement had been got up in opposition to the existing Temperance Society, or the supporters of the .Permissive Hill. He had much pleasure in seconding the reso luti^n. Dr Turmsull considered that so much drunkenness as was represented to exist in Canterbury did not exist. But sufficient existed to call for social and legislative reform. In his opinion, no Government should depend (as the Government of this colony did) for one-fifth of its revenue upon the frailties of its countrymen. (Applause). Mr Cutler felt elated that the question of temperance now found advocates amongst the upper classes of society in this province. He contended that it was necessary to decrease the profits of the publicans, and entered into long statistics with regard to the measures adopted in some countries of Europe to put a stop to intemperance, or at all events to lessen its evil influences. Mr C. C. Bowen, 8.M., proposed the second resolution as f Hows :— " That a committee be appointed to consider what amendments of the existing liquor laws would be practicable and efficient. la discussing the question of temperance, it was necessary that speakers should approach it temperately. (Applause.) lie must confess that the more he looked into the matter the more did he perceive its extreme largeness, and the more did he feel disinclined to arrive at a conclusion before hearing the opinions of others on the subject. He thought that it would be a step in the right direction to cansuit with and invite the co-operation of the other colonies. (Hear, hear.) With regar.l to total abstinence, he must say that he was not prepared to agree wiih any movement for coercive legislation. (Applause.) He believed that some law might be passed which would have a considerable effect in lessening the evils which now exist. (App'ause.) The Rev Canon Wilson seconded the resoluti >n. He could not advocate the complete prevention of the sale of liquors. (Applause.) He was told that such legislation had been productive of smuggling and sly grog shops in those countries in which it had been introduced. He did not thinktliatcoeruive legislation would prevent intemperance, and it would be unfair to impose such legislation upon a whole community as was certainly necessary for a few. (Applause.) In his travels through the district in which he resided, he had always been most courteously and kindly received by publicans, but he must say at the same time that the present system of licensing houses was a bad one. 'i hey should not be what they really were — grog traps, but houses of real accommodation for the travelling population of the province. (Applause.) A certain number of licensed refreshment houses was really necessary. While seconding the resolution, he must not be understood to entertain any desire to deprive the poor man of his glass of ale. (Applause). Mr Klorance proposed an amendment to the effect that the Lawson or Permissive Bill should be adopted in Canterbury, but the amendment was not seconded. Mr John Olliyikr said there was no doubt that a very great proportion of crime in the province was due to drunkenness. He totally dissented from the advocates of the Permissive Bill, because he believed that its adoption here would be a most oppressive piece of legislation. (Applause). Let those who object to the issue of licenses, have the boldness and moral courage to come forward and say bo on licensing day. (Applause). Public-houses of a respectable class were a necessity. The closing of outer bars found advocacy amongst a certain number of persons, but God forbid that they should ever close the outer doors, for if they did that, depend upon it that the yice of drunkenness would increase. (Applause). The laws of supervision must be made more stringent. They must make the publican afraid of the penalty overtaking him. By so doing, \hey would root out a number of men who obtained a license and kept nothing less than dens of infamy. (Applause). Let them punish the publican more severely than the drunken man to whom he supplies drink to euch an excess. By establishing stringent measures such as those he had indicated, they would increase the respectability of licensed houses and lessen the evils arising from an over indulgence in intoxicating drink. (Applause). The resolution was then put and carried. The Rev. Charles Phaser proposed the third resolution, as follows : — " That the Committee be instructed to consider what measures of a social kind would be best adapted to discourage drinking habits." He said— We have by passing the previous resolutions acknowledged the need for . some reform, and resolved to attempt through our committee the introduction of certain improvements in the law. But, after all, what most concerns us is the social reform, which may be introduced and carried out by ourselves, independently of any assemblies or authorities. And it is here too that I fear we are most in danger of certain differences of opinion, differences which are to be regretted, chiefly in so far as they may hurt or hinder the accomplishment of the good work which we all wish to see prosper. We may very safely remit to our committee the discussion of what laws ought to be passed on this subject, and may hope to see the General Assembly pass very useful and effective measures. But it lies with us as v portion ot the general public to say what measures of h soda! kind are practicable, and likely to accomplish the work in hand. In short, the social reforms are the reforms which we

ourselves must carry out, and not others for lie, whether committees or General Assam* bliea. And here let us hope to obtain from the friends of total abstinence a just tolerance for our views and for our aims. We cannot go the same length with them in the entire abstinence from liquors, but we can as truly and as earnestly deplore the evils which exist, and also believe our own measures to be the most effective and the most Jikely to secure general approval. The word temperance expresses our views juatas abstinence expresses theirs. Of course there are degrees of temperance ; but in every degree it expresses some restraint. If total abstainers have reached the very top of the hill, the very summit of excellence, we are at least upon the hil}-side, and we have our faces looking upwards, and we are moving in the same direction. What we ask, then from them is sympathy with our movement, that they will not thwart the good cause by indifference or opposition. Were we proposing to do away with total abstinence and substitute a moderate use of liquors instead, we might be open to censure. But we do no such thing. We propose rather that all who are not total abstainers should put some measure of restraint upon themselves ; that for the sake of their fellow-men, and in order to discountenance indulgences which lead to so much sorrow, misery, and crime, they should cast off certain habits and practices. It is in this direction that social reforms can be effected. And it should be clearly understood that these are needed in almost cv ry circle of society and every sphere of life. Of course there are exceptions ; but it may be taken as a very general rule that all colonists drink more than they were accustomed to do in the home country. The exceptions will be found for the most part in those who totally abstain and those who were grossly intemperate, even wh-n they left the shores of Britain. Let us begin with some of those habits which none of us knew, and which few of us even heard of, till we came to the colony. Take for instance shouting. Many a labourer and citizen has been led into this habit, or been at least some few times guilty of it, who really had no wish for the liquor, and not much for the society in which he found himself. Now, it is really time that a man who proposed such a thing should be regarded very much as a man actually drunk ; and that he has all the repulsive character of one wishes to make a beast of himself and others. If all the members of our society — for I hope we shall be able to form one— distinctly set their faces Hgaiust this habit, and protest against it, it will soon come to be regarded as the sign of Rn abandoned drunkard ; and, as for them, I don't think we ein cure them. We must hand them over to the more severe measures of the total abstainers. There is another habit which calls for amendment; that of drinking every time a bargain is to be made, or an account settled. The country fairs which are becoming somewhat generally established throughout the province, will afford good scope for the practice of this amendment. And perhaps our friends of the Pastoral and Agricultural shows will take care for the future to allow refreshments, but no spirituous liquors on their premises. There is yut another habit, that of offering among friends wine or spirits to drink, which might very properly be put down. It is, perhaps, in the more thinly peopled districts that this practice is most frequent, and there it is sometimes very general. A story is- told of a worthy beadle, who was usually aent round to intimate to the families throughout the district when the minister of the parish was to visit them, and unfortunately the minister's man John used to get overcome with his liquor on these occasions. He was invited to taste in almost every house, and the tastings became too much for him. The minister one day ventured mildly to take him to task for this habit, and pressed his own example, " You see, John, I visit all these families too, and yet I never taste in that way to get the worse for it." Ah ! but, says John, "You're maybe no sac popular among them as me." Now it would be a good thing for us all to take the minister's example and not the beadle's, and, to make up our minds that the offering or the receiving of invitations to drink shall be regarded as no signs of popularity or of friendship. I might here refer to the practice of toasts at public dinners, as one which might be more honoured in the breach than the observance. Of course I know very well that a dozen toasts may be drunk to one glass of wine, and that good artesian water often serves the same end. But the form might easily be dispensed with altogether. Now we might surely come at last to this resolution, to discontinue all drinking practices. A society formed with this object might accomplish a noble work. It might preserve many who are in danger of falling, and raise up some who have stumbled. These social habits are often the great causes of prevailing intemperance. Let us resist them manfully, and refuse at any time or at any place to give way to them, cither by inviting our friends to drink or by accepting such invitations ourselves. But our aims should not stop short here. If we ate to' persuade others to bt abstemious, we must be abstemious ourselves. Even while we leave it to each man's conscience to say how much, and when and what he is to drink, it must be as a recognised matter of conscience and of necessity that a man shall drink at all. There is great room here for self-denial, and let us not refuse to exercise it. When we think of I nil the evils that result from excessive drinking, it is no*t too much to ask of any Christian man that he shall cease to seek his pleasure where another finds his death, and that ho shall give rather the example of warning to refrain from the evil thing than the example of temptation by indulgence, however moderate, however safe. Dr Fobteb seconded the motion. Mr Bennetts declared himself to be on advocate for legal enactment and moral suasion. Mr Cracroitt Wilson, C.B , was an opponent to coercive legislation and the principles

o£ total abstinence entertained by teetota 1 societies. Some legal enactment was necessary. It was for the people themselves to take the lead, and they might depend upon i> that legislation would follow. (Hear, hear). The Rev Richard Potvell supported tin resolution, dwelling principally upon the Permissive Bill. A person who described himself as a working man and a teetotaler, made some very humorous remarks, in the course of which he urged, in the most demonstrative manner, that no man could get along in these colonies unless he were a total abstainer. The resolution was then put and agreed to. Mr T. Nottidge moved :•— " That the following gentlemen be requested to act as a Committee, with power to add to their number, and with instructions to report to an adjourned meeting, to be called at an early date : — His Honor the Superintendent, his Honor the Judge, the Bishop of Christchurch, the Mayor of Christchurch, the Very Rev. the Dean, Rev. C. Fraser, Mr Bowen, R.M., Rev. T. Buddie, Rev. W. J. Habens, Dr Turnbull, Messrs Reeves, J. S. Williams, and the mover." The Rev. W. J. Habens, in seconding the resolution, said that it was the social part ■of the subject that attention must be directed to, and to do any good they must make some personal sacrifices. If they could separate the legitimate hotel trade from the refreshment trade without drink, they would be takiog a step in the right direction. (Hear, hear). Mr Cutleu moved that the names of the Key. J. O'Brien Hoare and Richard Powell, and Messrs Bennetts, Cay gill and Baker, be added. Dr Fkaxkish advocated the introduction of Australian and French wines, and the moderate use of colonial beer, instead of tbe present compound of alcohol and turpentine. I Hear hear.) The Very Rev the Dean opposed the amendment on the ground that it would be unwiee to have on the committee gentlemen who held extreme views on the subject. He believed that their presence on the committee would very seriously imperil, if it would not destroy, the cause now advocated. The Rev C. Fraseb expressed a similar opinion. Mr Cctlek, after some remarks, withdrew his amendment. Mr J. S. Williams said he should have liked to see the names of some total abstainers on the committee, but he should object to a majority, because in that event the case would be prejudged. He should very much like to see total abstainers consulted, as they •were best able to give information on the liquor traffic, having made it their study. (Hear, hear.) The resolution was agreed to. A vote of thanks to the Mayor terminated fbe proceedings.