THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 292, 29 August 1918, Page 6

THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC

PROHIBITION MEETINGS. Meetings in support of the prohibition campaign were held last evening at Kelburn and Island Bay. A meeting at Kelburn was hold in tile Presbyterian Church, and was addressed by the Rev. John Dawson, secretary of the New Zofiland Alliance. Tlio speaker expounded briefly the proposals of the National Efficiency. Board, pointing out that they provided for an immediate poll to be settled on a simple majority vote. If these proposals were carried they would secure the prohibition of tlio manufacture, importation,- and sale of alcoholic liquor as a beverage, but exemptions were provided for industrial, scientific, medicinal, and sacramental purposes. On the voto being carried, prohibition was to come into immediate effect. After the conclusion or the address a committee was appointed, with power to add to its number, to further the campaign in the Kelburn district. Speaking nt Island Bay, tho Rev. W. J. Comrie urged his hearers lo do nil in their power to secure the immediate abolition of the liquor traffic by obtaining for the petition asking Parliament to grant a poll on the question at once. They must convince the politicians that tiiey wore in earnest. The "Trade" was coming forward with a proposal, which sought to create a division amongst the people, and thus allow conditions to remain as they were at the present t'me. The speaker dealt at length with the National Efficiency Board's recommendations, and said that the question at isßiio was whether the peoplo who wanted reform were willing to secure it by the. payment ,of compensation. Although .compensation was not admitted to bo morally defensible, it was a Question whether they should not get nd of tho drink traffic.by that means, or else allow it to continue at double the price.