A CONVERT TO NO-LICENSE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9212, 3 November 1908, Page 6

A CONVERT TO NO-LICENSE.

Mr John Hessey Gives His

Views

Explains What Led To His

Altered Opinions,

Dire Tragedies Caused By

Drink.

No-License Brings Increased

Prosperity.

Unquestionable Cases in Point.

Convincing Facts and Opinions.

Some Logical Conclusions

impeachment of the Brewers ,

Monopoly

Strong Condemnation of the

"Shouting" Habit

An Earnest Appeal to the Whole Community.

A gre*t number of Masterton residents will be interested to learn that Mr John Hessey, one of our most highly-esteemed citizens, lias openly declared himself as a firm believer in No-License. "I'm goiug to strike out the top line and I do not mind who knows it," said Mr Hessey during a conversation on Saturday last. "I've never done so before, but I have good reasons for changing my opinion on the subject," he added. A statement so definite as this, coming from a careful and somewhat conservative business man—one who is a shrewd observer and is always able to give sound reasons for any opinion he might hold—should have considerable influence with Mastertou voters who desire accurate and disinterested information ou the much-discussed question of No-License. "I have always " Favoured Moderation, ,, continued Mr Hessey, "but I cau see now that I have been in the wrong', and I am willing to admit it. I am, as you know, a member of the Licensing Committee, but I should not allow myselt to be uominated again." What has happened, that your views on the Liquor question should change so completely? queried the person to Whom Mr Hessey was conversing. "It is the result of my own observation in No-License electorates," was the reply. "One hears so many statements about business suffering when the bars are closed that I decided to make careful enquiries for myself. The result of these enquiries is that I have been converted from a, believer in moderation aud regulating tne Trade to a firm conviction of the benefit and efficiency of straight-out No-License.'' Then from the enquiries you have made down South you are prepared to state that in your opinion No-License does not affect business? "X it has any effect on business, it is to improve "it. Take Gore as an instance. I have spent more time there than in any other No-License electorate, and cau speak with some authority concerning.it. Persons who are interested in the Liquor Trade would have us believe that Gore has been stagnant since the operation of No-License—but it is all nonsense. Gore is as Sound and Progressive as ever it was, and five new brick buildings are going up in the business centre. The town is Bright, Clean and Prosperous. Although I have spent a good deal of time there, I was not going to be satisfied with the result of my own observations, but made enquiries from prominent business men who were best able to judge—meu who previously had not favoured No-License— aud they were compelled to admit that business had not suffered. I asked a bank manager, also, if No-License had had any detrimental effect on trade. Ho replied unhesitatingly that it had not; on the other hand, he considered it was responsible for an improvement. I asked the leading lawyer of the town a similar question, and got, in effect, the same answer. People in Invercargill and Ashburton also tell me that business has improved under NoLicense. I am so absolutely convinced of the good effects of No-License that 1 can now scarcely understand anyone opposing it for fear it should hurt business. When oue thinks calmly over the matter, it seems almost incredible that any of. us should ever have Held the opinion that the open bar, with its Debasing Influences should be essential to the prosperity of any town. If tho liquor bars were closed, we should have a more sober community, and there would be more available cash for expenditure on the necessaries of life. No one would be likely to buy less food, clothing, etc., just because the bars were closed, and there were not facilities for some men, when they came into town, to degrade themselves. "But there are other and more cogent reasons why I am going to vote No-License," continued Mr Hessoy. "I have seen enough of Drink's evil results to touch the heart of any man who has a spark of humanity in his composition. During the past year no less tliau three men who were employed by the Masterton Dredging Company, whose interests I am looking after", have met violent deaths (the details of which are sickening) .through Drink. All three were Clever, Capable, Men wheu sober. They held responsible positions and received high salariesfive pounds a, week—bat drink worked their ruiu and they died more like dogs than human beings. In the case of one of the poor fellows, who was found dead in a back yard, in a mutilated coudition, I caused proceedings to be taken against a hotelkeeper who had fleeced him of a considerable sum of money during the week previous to his untimely death. The result of the

case was a hoavy tlno ami tho license oudoraod.

"I do not blanto tho Uoousoos so innoh for tins kind of thing," said Mr Hoaaoy. "1 bttuno tho monopoly of browora. No ' Imuvor should , bo allowed to havo any intorost whatever in hofcol proportion. Thoy 'squeeze' tho lioonsmvs to ruoli nn oxtont that it is impossible for thorn to mako a living by straightforward, legitimate trade. Tho ..prosout nystoiu is intolerable, and whilo I am now a firm boliovor in No-Lioouso, I .consider ovon State or Municipal control would be preferable to nearly all the hotels in tho country being ownod by a "Brewers , Monopoly." You speak very dooidedly on tho question of voting for No-License, Mr Hossoy? "I do. I havo reason to; and I care nofc who knows that I am going to strike out tho top line. If I were an orator I would not hesitate to address tho people of Masterton ou tho question. I conld tell them, ou tho one hand, of tragedies caused by drinktragedies which I have witnessed during tho past year—aud on the other hand of tho beneficial effects of NoLicense —facts which would make any intelligent person pause before voting for the uoutinuauce of tho open bar. "Make any use you like of what I have said; publish it in the papers if you think it will influence voters in the right direction," said Mr Hessey in response to a suggestion that he ought to givo the community the benefit of his own observations and enquiries in No-License electorates, more particularly as there were paid advocates at work trying' to deceive electors with stories about the alleged failure of this reform. "As for myself," he continued, "after witnessing such terrible drink tragedies as I have I would not Have it on my Conscience that I had voted for the continuance of such a trade. I am going to do what I cau in this direction to better the couditiou of my fellow men." Mr Hessey also spoke of the habit of "shouting." after being sometime in No-License districts, he said, the idea of it was distasteful. It seemed so foolish that men who met in social or business relationship should want to adjourn to au hotel to l have a taste.' People would appreciate the closing of the bars for this reason alone, once the habit died out." A Word of Advice. "My advice and earnest entreaty to Masterton electors is to vote for NoLicense." he said. "Even if there should be a temporary reaction after it comes into operation, it will not last long. lam confident the people would never sanction the open bars again, and they would havo the satisfaction of knowing they had done that which was best for the wellbeing of their fellows." The fact that Mr Hessey's personal observations and impartial enquiries have resulted in the complete changing of his own views adds considerably to the value of his testimony, which should go a long way towards reassuring any electors who may have had any doubt or misgivings as to the probable effect the carrying of NoLicense might have on the business of the town. Published by Arrangement.