THAT TIRED FEELING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 455, 13 April 1899, Page 18

THAT TIRED FEELING.

Probably there is something more than meets the eye in Mr T. E. Taylor’s letter to Mr Robert French announcing his inability to come to Auckland just now and preach the gospel of Prohibition according to St. Taylor. The junior member for Christchurch has not had a veiy good time of it so far, in the Taranaki Province, and doubtless he felt that the further north he traveled so much the warmer would’ be his reception. Therefore, there may be some discretion in putting off the visit until the weather is cooler, and the atmosphere of Auckland, as regards the prohibition question, somewhat clearer. The people of Auckland have not had time to banish from their memories the proceedings of the prohibitionist leaders at the Police Commission. It is only a year ago since the Commission was sitting in Auckland, and citizens have not forgotten the wild, unreasonable, erratic, and far from truthful vagaries indulged in by Mr Taylor’s lieutenant, the Bev. F. W. Isitt, in his endeavors to blacken the Trade and all connected with it Mr Taylor was “indisposed ” then, so he got —speaking metaphorically—another monkey to pull the chestnuts out of the fire, but we fancy he did not escape without his due number of burnt fingers. The Auckland prohibitionists have themselves been stepping backwards by reason of their conduct in several matters. They shrieked aloud about the proposed bar at the Exhibition, and some of their leaders here did not hesitate to make very nasty insinuations about the consequences which would follow if a bar were allowed: “Disgraceful orgies,’ “Auckland not fit to live in,” and so on. These were the prophecies of the Rev. W. J. Williams, who had so little respect for his townspeople that he also said no one would be able to take his wife or daughter to the Exhibition if a license for the sale of alcoholic liquor was granted. Then the Rev. Dr. Hosting let his frenzy run away with his tongue when he attacked the. Anglican Church, and spoke of the “ drunken curates,” and made odious comparisons. No doubt both Dr. Hosking and the Rev. Williams were ashamed of their vile utterances upon calm consideration, but as they have sown so shall they reap, and it is not to be wondered at that they have earned for prohibition the disapproval of all moderate temperance reformers. All over the colony the same story is being told. The curses are coming home to roost, and men who joined the prohibition party with the sincere desire of improving the lives of those unable to look after themselves have been forced to withdraw from an organisation led by men utterly reckless of consequences, and incapable of controlling themselves. Perhaps these are some of the reasons for the postponement of Mr Taylor’s visit to Auckland. He is on the stump, for he says in his letter to Mr French, “Crowds of converts, both prohibitionist and political.” Therefore, he Taranaki Province may prove better

worth the working than Auckland just now. He says, pathetically, “ I shall be fairly tired out by the time of my last meeting.” Such a prophecy is too good to be true; yet there are many who. without wishing Mr Taylor any harm, would be glad if that tired and worn-out feeling would last until Christmas time.