THE ANTI-COMPENSATION CAMPAIGN.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 735, 7 April 1904, Page 24

THE ANTI-COMPENSATION CAMPAIGN.

(“A.W.S. and T. NEWS”).

The Teetotal cranks of New South Wales have coalesced with a view to presenting a joint front in favour of local option without compensation at the forthcoming elections in that State. A so-called “demonstration,” under the joint auspices of the Young People’s Society of Christian Endeavour and* the New South Wales Alliance, was held in Centenary Hall, York-street, Sydney, on January 28th, when an effort was made to galvanise a little life inrto the thing, though with no great measure of success. Canon Boyce opened the proceedings w’ith one of his well-known rhodomontades, and then followed the rank and file. Full Local and State Option.

Mr A. Bruntnell moved—“ That, in view of the manifold evils connected with the sale of intoxicants, this meeting of citizens is of opinion that the electors of this country should at on’ce have conceded to them an efficient measure of full local and State ontion.” He said he had decided to devote the remainder of his life in the interests of liquor law reform. If ever he had been convinced of the correctness of that cause, he was at that moment. (Cheers). Local option, he argued, was not an attempt to dictate to people what they should drink (?), but it was an attempt to oppose an organised traffic. This traffic was not morally right, and, therefore, it could not be politically right.

Mr Lee, M.H.R., in seconding the mo-

tion, said it contained the true principles of democracy. (“Here, hear.”) ihey heard a lot reform and reduction, but he questioned whether there was any greater reform than liquor reform, or any reduction than the reduction of hotels. (Cheers.) ihe elections were am reaching, and they were going .o ~..v wn, u their hag for local and State option, without compensation, proudly flying. (“Hear, Hear.”) Ihe fight might be long, but the drink traffic would go out, and leave the people free. (Loud cheers.) ihe resolution was carried. No Compensation. ( W- Johnson, iJ.H.R., moved—- “ lhat this meeting is of opinion that as li’Quor licenses are for one vear and no longer, it is unnecessary to give compensation for non-renewa’l thereof, and, further, that it would be very 7 unjust to tax citizens for the benefit of the licensees and of the brewers, who stand behind them.” Everything, he said, that made for sobriety in a community - n a- ae for the best. Private landholders did not, he thought, want hotels, because the presence of an hotel reduced the capital value af the surrounding properties. The Labour party, by their action on the previous evening, had shelved the question by not facing the situation. Compensation was morally wrong. (“Hear, hear.”) The fact that some members of the conference were publicans may have affected the vote. But in any case he was of opinion that the members of the conference would not have a proper conception of the question. State control of the liquor traffic was never good for the individual (Cheers.) The motion was unanimously agreed to.