NO-LICENSE CAMPAIGN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10300, 3 November 1911, Page 1

NO-LICENSE CAMPAIGN.

Ail open-air meeting was held 011 the Esplanade, New Brighton, ia&t evening, at which the Rev S. Lawry and Mr D. N. Adams replied to the apeecli of Mr H. M. Stewart given in the schoolroom on Monday. The Mayor, Mr 0. H. Opie, occupied the chair. Mr D. N. Adams referred to Mr Stewart's speech, in which he said that gentleman had drawn certain unwarranted conclusions. Mr Stewart's address, unfortunately, lacked original. it,y. He had given exactly the same address three years aco, and the same innuendoes and mistatements were reproduced. Mr Stewart hung 011 steadfastly to Asliburton. He ignored any other no-license areas. The antiProhibitionists had a majority of 41,000 at the first no-license poll. At the last poll the prohibition party had a majority of 33,000. Mr Stewart had contended in the face of this that no-license had made no headway. Mr Stewart had stated that there was as muoh drunkenness in Asliburton and more drink sold under no-liconso than was known under license. Mr Adams quoted figures in reply to this to show that the convictions for drunkenness in IAK32 were 117. In 1910 the number was decreased to 67. thirty-five being persons arrested on the railway station, having obtained the liquor outside the district. The question had been raised by Mr Stewart relative to the revenue, which had to be made. up if no-license wore carried. Mr Adams, in reply, referred to authorities, who unreservedly gave it as their opinion that drink stood as the all-important factor

in the production of cases dealt with* by public moneys. t • The .I'av S. Lawrv said he hadi beard Mr Stewart frequently, but, „ unfortunately, he had hact to' suffer the some speech, on every occasion. Contrary to Mr Stewart's statements, the No-license' party had not changed its programme. The speaker quoted from the report of the Commissioner of Police to Parliament last session. This had amply supported the party in its statements that no-license had been effective. Mr Stewart objected to in Ashburton because it was ineffective Ho objected to national prohibition because it would be effective! No-license had probably not been as great a success as they had wished. Many people had been too sanguine, considering the difficulties attending the measure. The population of Asliburton had increased 1 by 10 per cent. Mr Stewart had contended' that the business people _ of Asliburton were against prohibition.'; He knew that the most stalwart of the tradespeople were strongly in fa- ,: vour.

A hearty vote of thanks, proposed byj * Mr 13. Snratt and seconded by Mr Rf Cooper, was carried by acclamation. Ae i vote of thanks to the Mayor foiypx&* v '' siding closed the procee&flgfti-