MODERATE LEAGUE MEETING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 58, 2 December 1919, Page 6

MODERATE LEAGUE MEETING

A LIVELY INTERLUDE. (Special Correspondent.) Palmerslon North, December 1. On Sunday evening Sir. Jt. A. Arnistions iiddrci'Mcd n meeting , nt I'almcrfiton North on the aims and objects of the Moderate League. At times lie was mot with a gond hciil of interruption from members of Hie, prohibition party iircsent. Jiml I lie result was 111-it the (>:'<>- ccedimrs were prolonged until a late hour, and eventually the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks. When Mr. .Ariuslroni; hazarded (he statement that Xew Zealand was the most temperate country in the world, some, nerson interjected that this was due to (i o'clock closing, to which he ronliod that (i o'clock closing fiid not conio into force until December, 1917, and drunkenness had decreased belo i that. Another inlorjector remarked that nt that time the men were at the war. To this Mr. Armstrong replied: "Here wn liavp tin: real prohibitionist who blames tho solrliers for the drunkenness." This evoked the remark, "Get off that natriotic name: you inako a man sick." Mr. "Amistroiw was cmlr.ivouring to nrovc that there had been fewer convictions for drunkenness in the Dominion, when he was aslced ban , he jjnne to the war. to which lie (tplicd that he cmikl not eo: and he iupiiii asserted that there were fewer convictions in New Zealand, when a voice inicrjpctnl that the men were out of Xnw Zealand, to which Mr. Armslromr replied. "Blame the soldiers, do von?" A voice: "You are trying tu make ennilal out of it." Mr. Armstrong: "Well, that is what your statement im-

nlies." . At nuestioß time the l!ev. ■ A. Dnnnimibe mi» of ih? organisers for Ihe prohibitionists in the present campaign, nsked Mr. Arnistromi if he linil a spire nisrht before llio poll. . lie lino , thrown our a clmlli'iißO in mspei'L nf revenue, nnd the sneaker was yrnparcd to accept the. challenge if Mr. Armstrong would mppt. liim in debate. Mr Armstrong sai<l he \y.is not sun , it he would have a free niglit, but Mr. Puncumbo could take a ball any night and explain Hid question. •V voice: You would be well away then. AVhy issue the challenge if you are not gamo? . . . Mr Armstrong: I'm game to face yon prohibitionists alone without a stage lull of people to bad; me up.' . , , •U tlii« stage Sir. Dmicumbe introduced himself as an accredited prohibition oruaniser, but the uproar was 50 great that bis remarks could scarcely be heard Mr. Armstrong: That is final: I decline to debate with him. lie said that I was not to wriggle. I wont debate with so vulgar a person. I am going to sav something vulgar to you that he will understand: "'Rub it in J™' l ' hnn '- (Howls of tehter.) 'V nueslion us to personal liberty drew the retort from Mr. Armstrong that there would bo precious little personal liberty if the intolerants who were trying to run the country got control. Mr. Duncnmbe: liot! Mr Armstrong: Hot! You have a Jot of choice, expressions. I am surprised to hear them come from your sanctified ! ' P Mr Dnncumbe asked Mr. Armstrong why he had sent that letter to the soldiers at the front, and characterised Hie contents as lies. ' Vt this 'stn»c the controversy becamo Boinewhat heated, tlw audience joining in, mid after a rapid interchange Mr. Duneumbe wns invited on to the st.ue where he chiiUensed the ncciiracy of the eontents of the letter. Mr. Armstrong replied that he stood by every word 111 the letter and was proud of it.