PROHIBITION PARTY

Wairarapa Age, 20 December 1919, Page 5

PROHIBITION PARTY

END OF CAMPAIGN. A gathering of tho workers and supporters of tho Mastorton branch of tho Prohibition Party took place in tho Y.M.C.A. Hall last night. The proceedings took the form of a social evening, interspersed with speeches, and a very enjoyable wind-up to the work of the recent campaign was held. The proceedings were opened by the chairman (Rev. J. Cocker), who gave a resume of the present situation, and heartily congratulated all who had worked so hard throughout the campaign. In tho course of his remarks, Mr. Cocker said: — "Looking over the recent campaign, and comparing it with previous ones, j I think the Liquor Trade displayed groatcr ability to lie and misrepresent than in any past light. What a torrent of lies they poured out! They used up all their old stock, and made new ones. The public is so used to the Liquor lies that it is only tho unthinking who arc taken in by them. Sensible peoplo aro only amused by them. During the whole of the campaign not ono Masterton man has either written a letter to tho newspapers or made a speech on tho platform in favour of re-opening tho bars. The propaganda work has been done by men sent into tho district by ontsido liquor dealers. Men may lio about Masterton when they aro a distance from tho town, but the residents have nothing but good to say of tho benefits of No-License. During tho campaign every doctor of Masterton signed a manifesto stating their belief in No-License, and stating their intention to vote for it. That was a splendid testimony. In the Masterton electorate wo have gained a decided victory for No-Licenso. In ID 14 tho vote for Restoration was 3178 and for No-License 2753. or a majority of 725 for Restoration. At the election this week tho VQ,tcs wero Restoration 3.103, No-License 3481, or a majority of 37S in favour of the closed bars. Tho vote for No-Licenso at this poll has, been changed from having a majority against it of 725 at the last, election to/having a majority inn its favour of 378; or, in other words, tho No-Licenso vote is 1103 better than at the last No-License poll. But, comparing tho vote in Masterton and suburbs, the returns arc very inspiring; 2280 persons voted for NoLicensc, and only 1553 persons voted to re-open tho bars, thus giving a majority with tho towp and suburbs of 737 in favour of keeping tho bars closed, or only eighteen votes short of a three-fifths majority. The Masterton people know they havo got a good thing, and intend to stick to it. Thoy greatly rejoice over the local victory." Mr. James McGregor stated that thoy had gone into the light with the determination to win, they had left no stone unturned to do so, and if they had boon beaten, it would not havo been the first time. However, he did not think that all hope was yet lost. He had been in those fightß sinco 1804, and hoped that ho would live to see their efforts rewarded. Messrs T. F. Watson, Pragnoll, Suh livan, and the organiser (Mr. D. McCalmont) spoke on similar lines. Thp ladies provided an excellent supper, suy! after singing tho Doxology tho gathering dispersed.