FIGHTING THE "TRADE."

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 25 October 1912, Page 8

FIGHTING THE "TRADE."

THE PLEDGE SIGNING' ICAMw

PAIGN

TEMPERANCE PARTY'S NEW

TACTICS

THE PLEDGE EXPLAINED

Mr H. D. Bedford, M.A., LL.B., and the Rev John Dawson (secretary of the New Zealand Alliance) who arc at present touring New Zealand on a plgugf* signing campaign, arrived in vVanganui yesterday. In the evening they addressed n meeting in th© Druids' Hall. The attendance was fair. Two excellent addresses were given, Mr. Bedford's being specially so. Mr W. G. Bassett was chairman, and in his opening remarks in introducing the speakers, he apologised for it being inadvertently notified that Mr Wesley Spragg would be present.

Mr H. D. Bedford, who was given a cordial reception, said a long fight for the abolition of the liquor trariic had been made by the Prohibition Party. The object was truly a great one. Its aim was splendid. Its ardour had never cooled, an<l it had the support of a quarter of a million voters. But it was not its greatness, but its weakness, which they had come to speak about. Last poll 260,000 voted in favour of national prohibition, a majority of 54,000; yet, despite that great majority, not a single public bar was closed in the Dominion. This drew pointed attention as to the cause, and since then the leaders of the movement had been discussing the cause oft he ineffectiveness. The vote of a man who supported the Trade equalled 1£ votes of the man against the trade, and the Convention resolved that it would not allow this inequality to remain. It resolved that calmly, but resolutely. It did that for no party, but for the benefit of the whole of ~Sew Zealand. It was realised that it would, be betraying its trust to New Zealand if it sat quiet. It was realised to-day that the liquor party had not to be fought. Ifc lay thoroughlywhipped by tens of thousands. Yet it lived. Yet it flourished. It was not because of its inherent strength, thegood which it contributed to the commonwealth, or that it had the sanction! of the people>. but because Parliameiit, by its laws, had come to the rescue. Parliament had been beseeched by the No-License Party and ho heed had been paid/. Now the NoLicense people were coming in their .strength ~and demanding that this handicap should be removed. To enforce that demand, the public's aid was beseeched. A good deal of misconception was current as to the 3s 5d majority. There was a majority for prohibition last year, but the majority, was far, far off- of what was: required to have obtained succors The majority would have had to be nearly 103,000 votes. In the South Island, the Trader got -.94,000 votie/. Tho majority which the No-License Party required in order to win was 20,000 more than the whole strength of the Trade in the South Island. Now, as fair-minded men and women, wero the conditions of the contest just? Was there any principle to justify it? The Trade vote had made a steady advance. No-License had made a greater advance, but the Trade had never gone back. If it mado the same pro££°ss?ext election, it would require 130,000 of a majority to carry prohibibition. Was it any" wonder that there was difficulty in winning? Was it any wonder that electorate after electorate just got on the border? Kaiapoi had been expecting No-License every election, but at the progress made it would take one hundred years. It was not that the cause was'not right, that energy, time and money were not spent, but it was because Parliament had loaded the party too heavily. It was time more of the commercial aspect was applied to the question. The Rev Doull, of Palmerston North, had gone fully into the question and the No-License had got only 15,000 votes nearer the goal in 12 years, but it had gained 108,000 votes. Making the same progress, it would be 1927 before national prohibition could be obtained. Were people prepared to wait fifteen years? Wero they prepared to wait while the country wasted £16,000,000 over the bars, 7000 young men went wrong every year, and 105,000 new drunkards made every one jof those 15 years? Some were keenly interested m politics. No-Liconse had" disturbed politics for many years. Getting rid of the 3-5 majority would rid it of pohteal activity. The country would then be rid for all time of political disturbance arising from the question. If the people- were in tho movement for tun, they would probably1 not care how long it took the gain the goal. With a view to getting rid of ~ the handicap and ending the struggle once and for all, a movement had been started a few woeks ago to"" get No-Liceji ;e sympathisers to pledge themselves not to support any candidate who was opposed to this movement. Up to now, No-Licenso and national prohibition sympathisers had frequently to vote for ■a man who approved the fulfilment of then- aims. It was like paddling with one oar and backing water with the ether. The pledge did not moan that anyone would becomo a member of a prohibition political party. The pledge had been framed -so as to prevent It boino; necessary to become a political party, but it would bo such a force that it would act on every political party in the land. If the pledge wero signed by 1500 to 2000 in every electorate, thero would bo no ne-od to put ib into operation. They could say to those who signed, "You may vote for whom you please." Imagine any candidate standing for the 3—5 when he know that he would havo a block vote of 1500 against him. Not only .would a revolution bo worked in the candidates, but in the parties. Imagine Mr Mnssey going to the country wh«n 100,000 .were pledged in this'manner. It weald be madness. The narty-lead-

ers would be careful in picking their candidates. The parties would be treading on eaich others' heels. If these pledges were got before next session, they would got the amended legislation then. When Mr Malcolm's Bill was before the House, members quibblfcd for not voting for the Bill. Next session they would quibble for voting for it. More strategy was wanted now. Tho weakest spot should be hit. The party was fighting Parliament and the liquor party). The Trade had 'been knocked down time after time, and trampled on. The Trade was not the weak point, but Parliament. When Parliament heard the tramp of the pledge sgners, it would not be long before the white flag would be flown. The Trade was a political force and behind it lay vested interests, the power of appetite, the majesty of custom, the lack of conscience, and —Parliament. Was it worth while to get the Act amended, or wai|t 15 y?>ans?" • Air. Bedford concluded with an appeal to all to do their d\itv.

Tho Itev. J. Dawson also spoke or the inequality and injustice of the 3-st'n handicap, which, he said, would not be tolerated in politics^ sport or anjwlietref »else.

Mr W. Kunckey then moved: ''That bcieving minority rule to be opposod" in principle to good Government, this meeting affirms the desirability of tho liquor question being settled by a simple majority of the" votes cast tt No-License and national prohibition polls; and, in order to facilitate tho securing of such a fair and just oriMsure, it approves of the steps being taken by the New Zealand ,Alli;< w to obtain tho following pledge from voters : —I hereby give my pledge that, regardless of party, I will* not at the next election vote for any candidate for Parliament who will not undertake, if elected, to do his utmost to remove or at tho least very substantially reduce, the present unfair handicap on both the issues of No-License and" national prohibition."

Mr W. McElwain seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

A large number of pledges were signed in the hall, and books of pledges taken away for filling in. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.