FROM THE FAR NORTH.

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 242, 18 August 1915, Page 4

FROM THE FAR NORTH.

Away in the north of the Noith Island, almo>t at the top of the long narrow peninsula tha*. occupies the northern part of the Auckland province, lies the picturesque Hay of Islands, the door to the large and fertile district known by the same name. The oldest settlement in New Zealand, its port, Russell, was the first capital of the colony, though it was not long before the seat of Government was removed to Auckland, as being more central, a consideration that in the course of time prompted its removal still further south to Wellington. A short trip by steamer or launch brings the traveller from Russell to Opua, the terminus of the railway from Whangarei. After a further few miles by rail he reaches kawakawa, where coaches leave for the West Coast, traversing the Bay of Islands district. One’s first impression is one of disappointment, for the country in the east has little about it that is picturesque or promising. The valley along which the railway runs is much of it poor clay land, some day, perhaps, to be turned to account for apple-growing, like so many other similar districts in New Zealand. Here and there are patches of light bush, but to see what the Hay of Islands is capable of producing in this line, one must go some miles to the west. The further one goes to the west, the more rain falls, and consequently the greener the country and the heavier the bush. This difference is especially noticeable in the summer drought which every season prevails for a few weeks, even if it does not extend over two or three months ; for frequently in some parts heavy rain may fall, t while a few miles further east there is not a drop, and the farmer, with envious eye, sees passing in the distance showers that would revive his parched and thirsty fields.

Here, as elsewhere in the Dominion, much of the original forest has disappeared, and every summer sees increasing inroads made upon it by the fires which, caused by a match carelessly thrown down, or started for the purpose of burning off for winter feed, soon pass beyond control, and sweep the country for miles. But nearer to the West Coast, in the rich Hokianga district, the bush still holds its own, and one marked feature in

many parts is the gnarled old puriri trees, standing detached in green paddocks, the sentry mounting guard over the land. The country is for the most part undulating, level plain or swamp being found only in small areas; and dotted over the landscape are to be seen the rounded cones of extinct volcanoes, so characteristic of the neighbourhood of Auckland, but, * unlike them, often having their craters filled with light bush. Being thus volcanic in origin, the country is stoney in patches, and suitable then only for grazing sheep, but otherwise fertile and well fitted for the cultivation of c. 's or maize, the cereals most in favour in the North.

The climate is very pleasant for the greater part of the year. In summer, when the drought prevails, the heat is sometimes trying, but seldom such as. to prostrate one, and more often than not it is tempered by a refreshing breeze. In winter frost is frequent on the lower levels, or when the cold is less severe, fogs and heavy dews prevail, even in the height of summer. But they are followed by beautiful sunny days, that make one quite forget any little discomforts of the early morning or late evening. Rain comes chiefly from the north-east, and the temperature is then fairly high ; so rapid grow th of vegetation is the result, and it is marvellous how quickly the country changes from parched and dried-up brown to rich emerald green. Easterly rains are usually followed by cold westerly squalls, which may be almost as cold and disagreeable as the “southerly busters” of Wellington. But they generally alternate with bright and soon the intervals between them grow longer, and they give place to clear skies and bracing southerly weather. On the whole, the winter in the Bay of Islands is a very pleasant season, a great contrast to the cold and stormy winters that prevail in so many parts of the South. In pite of the fact that settlement in the Bay of Islands dates back to the early forties, it is still by no means a populous district. Not that there is so ipuch unoccupied land, but the homesteads are scattered, and there is not a single large centre of population anywhere north of Whangarei. But there are many small villages, some of which will sure f y grow into large towns, as the North levelops with the advent of better roads and

the completion of the North Auckland Main Trunk railway. Kawakawa, that owes its existence to the coal mines that used to be worked in the neighbourhood; Ohaeawai, a centre whence roads diverge to the north, the west, and the south-west; Kaikohe, a point on the* North Auckland Main Trunk, towards which the line, though many miles distant, is slowiy advancing; Okaihau, still further west, towards Hokianga, are all mere villages, each with a store or two, a church or two, a school, and the inevitable public-house- one or more. For the Bay of Islands is not, unfortunately, a Prohibition district. V T here are many Prohibitionists, it is true, and in the iqii campaign the district, for the first time in its history, obtained a majority for No-License —a small majority, it is true, being under 200 —and on the wider National issue, a substantial majority of over 900, But in 1914 here, as in so many other parts of the Dominion, the Temperance poll was overshadowed by • the electoral struggle, and the result was a great set-back for Temperance. Owing to the scattered population, as just described, it will be readily understood that the question of organisation is a difficult one. It is not possible to get large meetings for any purpose, even in the excitement of a general election. Attendance must be counted by tens, and in some parts by units. At ordinary times, the principal attraction to call together the people is the combined social and dance, organised for church support or for social inter* course, or, i nthese stirring times of war, for assistance to some of the numerous patriotic funds. One clergyman, who is a staunch supportci of the Temperance cause, told me that it was no use trying to do work with the young people, either for church, or Band of Hope, or any other pur-" pose, because parents were unwilling : to let their children go the long dis- * tances necessary, unless accompanied by themselves. Afternoon meetings, that serve better where women are concerned, are useless for the young people, who, if not still at school, are occupied on the farm or homestead. Thus any work attempted lacks the enthusiasm of numbers.

Notwithstanding this, three efforts have been made to organise the district, and a good deal of work was done. In 1902 the Auckland Provincial No-License League took the m^t*

ter up, and sent the Provincial Organiser, with another worker, who was to travel throughout the electorate. Again in 190 Xan attempt was made, but the small result was very disheartening, for many who voted No-License were still unwilling to do anything to help, or even to show any interest in the matter. Once more, in 1914, a canvasser was sent round, and a few helped generously with money, but all to very little purpose. Further efforts have been made from time to time by visits from some of the leading Temperance workers, Rev. F'. Isitt, Rev. J. Dawson ,Messrs Pool and McDermott, but the difficulty has always been to get people sufficiently interested to attend the meetings. Yet there is need of work, for there is a great deal of drinking and much drunkenness. Young men sent to w ; ork in country places ike these cannot easily find anywhere to live except in the public-house, with all its inevitable temptations, and they have nowhere to go in the evenings, unless they arc fortunate enough to be madewelcome in the homes of some of the residents. The best methods of work, however, have yet to be discovered, the one thing clear being that they must be other than those employed in the past.

The same difficulties that have hitherto hampered organised work will, it is to be feared, militate against the success of any pledge-taking campaign, as urged by the No-License League in their last Convention. There seems to be, moreover, a good deal of prejudice against signing anything in the way of a pledge. Young men who are undoubtedly on the side of Temperance, and who will vote National Prohibition when they get the chance, still fight shy of signing a pledge, even though they are perfectly willing to act upon Lord Kitchener’s advice. Pledge-taking has the best chance in the populous centres, where enthusiasm is aroused by numbers, and success is obtained by personal infection.

All that has just been aid on the general question of organisation applies more or less to the work of the W.C.T.U. The women arc mostly too busy in their homes, and the distances are too great to secure such attendance at meetings as would warrant the formation of a L T nion. Yet many of those one meets are on the

side of Temperance and vote for National Prohibition. Can some means be devised by which they can be linked to each other and to the band of women who, the wide world over, are fighting for God, Home, and Humanity ?