Great Demonstration against the Licensing Bill.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12580, 29 September 1908, Page 5

Great Demonstration against the Licensing Bill.

LONDON, September 28. A quarter of a million people demonstrated on Sunday in Hyde Park against the Licensing Bill. 70,000 provincial excursionists, who came by 170 'special trains from all parts of the Kingdom, participated in 15 processions, and marched to ihe Park, carrying banners and headed by 100 bands. There were 90 speakers, including Messrs Henniker-Heaton, H. H. Marks, and Stave-ley-Hill (Commoners). Speeches were made from 20 platforms, denouncing the Bill, and resolutions were carried with tremendous applause, protesting^ that the Bill would increase intemperance, violate the rights of property, and interfere with the reasonable liberty >of the confmunity. The brewing interest secured the* excursionists excessively cheap fares by guaranteeing the railway companies against loss. The Times says the demonstration was a remarkable example of skilful, organisation, but the great majority protested in perfect seriousness. The Daily News says the processionists were chiefly free trippers, or poor, hireling victims of drink.