THANKSGIVING

White Ribbon, Volume 23, Issue 9, 1 December 1951, Page 7

THANKSGIVING

‘Let us with a gladsome mind praise the Lord.” is the opening line of one of Milton’s hymns. Here is a reason for thanksgiving among Temperance workers. Wanganui East, a fast-growing re>idential suburb of Wanganui, with Railway workshops, woollen mill* and factories adding to its business value, as does the possession of large sale yards at the end opening into an im|>ortant farming area, was adjudged by ihe Licensing Committee as suitable to have a licensed hotel in place of one being re-built in the city area. This was without consideration of Wanganui East having voted “dry” at the last opportunity, towards which vote an energetic W.C.T.U. may have helped. A meeting was held in support of the plan and it appeared almost certain it would be carried out. The Ministers’ Association got to work, held meetings in opposition, went quietly about finding arguments to enforce the public opinion of residents, shop-keepers, works’ foremen, schoolteachers and others who objected to having licensed premises. They were supported by a City Councill r who fired the ammunition with which they supplied him. The final round was with the not-often-enough remembered ruling as to the necessary distance between licensed premises and schools and Churches. This left the only site eligible one in the outskiits of the residential area, well removed from likelihood of paying business, so no application was made. Of which the moral is: scrutinise very carefully any future similar applications. There may be a similar, or other weak point. And remember, “Each victory will help us another to win.”

—Kathe.ine Mercer.