LICENSING QUESTION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2324, 4 December 1914, Page 8

LICENSING QUESTION

: -\'':~ ——♦— ——','•■' '-' ' ■• 1 THE MODERATES. The New Zealand Moderate League held a public meeting'in the Town Hall last evening. There were about 2600 people present. ■ The chair was taken by Mr. A. Gray, K.C., who said that he had been asked to preside, as he was not a partisan. He added that the .meeting had been called for the purpose of enunciating the aims and objects of the Moderato League and: of making'some reference to the Prohibition Party's attitude towards the league. ■Members of the Prohibition Party had been invited to share the platform that evening, but he, had been informed that Mr. A. E. Atkinson and his colleagues had declined the invitation. Mr... Atkinson (from t the body of the hall): You have been misinformed, sir. I am here. Amidst applause, Mr. Atkinson then took a seat on the platform, where he -was welcomed by the members of the league. The chairman then, read a letter from Mr. Atkinson stating that he had declined the offer to be'present. However, the members of the league said they were glad that he had come. ■ ■ - ■ Mr: Atkinson spoke for a quarter of an hour, and repeated the allegations made at a recent meeting to the effect that the league had been formed'in "the interests of the liquor trade, "a humble and servile accomplice of the liquor traffic." "This day week," be. said, * we are going to carry Prohibition." (Derisive laughter.)

Mr. Atkinson: Whatever you do, don't forget to strike out the top line. (Volleys of "No. No!"). Mr. Atkinson experienced a certain amount of hostility, and when he concluded the audience sang- "Ifs a Long Way to Tipperary," accompanied by the Town Hall organ. The leaguo organiser (Mr. R. A. Armstrong) read a letter received from the president (Mr. A. A. S. Menteath). The letter held that the Prohibitionists grossly, exaggerated the evils of liquor. Liquor in moderation — A voice (lovingly): Ah.! After Mr. Armstrong and Mr. T. B. Slipper'(the latter a member of the Wanganui branch of the league) had spoken in advocacy of the league's platform, and in absolute denial of.the assertion that the league was an accomplice of the liquor party, Mr. W. Perry moved as follows:—"That as Messrs. A. R. Atkinson, 0. C. Mazengarb, and H. H. Cornish have failed to justify the abusive matter contained in their advertisements of last Friday's Prohibition meeting, those re. sponsible for such meeting should, in the opinion of this public meeting of Wei. lington citizens), publicly apologise to the executive and members of the New Zealand Moderate League." This was seconded by Mr. John H. Owen, and ■ an amendment was invited from eome official of the Prohibition Party. No "official" amendment was proposed, but Mr. Magnus Badger moved the following amendment: "That this meeting thanks the Moderate League for bringing the licensing question eo prominently before the electors, but considers that tho advent of the league into the issue ( at this juncture is opposed to the best interests of the Dominion." A man in the gallery was the seconder. The amendment was heavily defeated, and the motion carried amidst cheering. It was then resolved that Prohibition would be a national calamity, and that the electors ought to give full consideration to the platform of the Moderate League before voting.