A PROHIBITION RALLY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 65, 10 December 1919, Page 11

A PROHIBITION RALLY

BIG MEETING IN TOWN HALL THE MODERATE LEAGUE ANSWERED CHARGE AGAINST MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (Extcnoed Report Published by Arrangement.) The Town Hall was crowded to the doors before the advertised timo of commencement last night on tho occasion of tho big prohibition rally. The gathering. which was preceded by a parado of several bands which assembled at different parts of tho city and marched to the Town Hall, was addressed by Mr. R. S. Gray (in the chair), Mr. G. W. Morice, M.A. (lato captain, N.Z.E.F.), and Mr. D. S. Smith. LL.lt. (also lato N.ZE.F.). The proceedings were opened with tho singing of tho National Anthem, followed bv several vocal and instrumental items. At t.lio outset, Mr. Gray said the gathering had boon arranged by tho young men's and tho young women's leagues of the city. Liauor and the War. The first speaker was Mr. Morice, who was greeted with calls of "Sit down I Sit down!" Tho chairman (to tlio crowd): "Excuso too, will you allow 1110 to say just a word about this meeting. I am going to run ■ it." Ho added that he would permit of no interruption during Mr. Moricc's address. As for himself, lie did not mind, A voice: Whero is your R.S.A. badge? The chairman: I havo not got one IWliero is yours? Mr. Morice. who took for his subject "Revenuo. Drug, and Unemployment Tables Exposed," stated that a most promising feature of the campaign was the ..part being played by the young men and young women of the country. Ife 1)0lieved that it meant that prohibition .would win, if not at this election— though lie believed they would—at an election very soon. Ono o£ the greatest lessons that tho war afforded was the fact that the liquor traffic had become to bo regarded as a danger to tho efficiency of all nations involved. In consequence tho different nations all. took 6ome steps to curtail the drinking habits of the people. If these nations found it necessary to so act did it not follow us a corollary that their efficiency would lie even liioro increased if this evil Habit were put a stop for once and for all? Personally lie had gono away to tho war a. prohibitionist and ho liad como back even more a prohibitionist. As to the j'um issue—{jeers and interruptions)— Tho chairman: Hold on. You hear what lie lias to sny and you will probably egrco with it. ' Mr. Morico then went on to lay that before lio saw the conditions in France lio thought the rum issuo a mistake. '' forwards he found that the rum ration 3 certainly justified by tiie extrajidinary conditions that obtained at the front. (Hear, hear.) It was, l\owever, on some occasions abused, and this simply went to show that even under the strictest possible -supervision and control, whero military disciplino was severe, drink could not bo regulated so rs to eliminate its abuse. Tho rum ration did a considerable amount of good, and was necessary under tho extraordinary conditions. U was, however,. known by every, "Digger" in tho hall that on some wcasions tho rum issue was abused. A voice: Rotter I 'I'ho chairman: Friend, von seem anxious to describe yourself. Continuing, the speaker referred to the veil-known prohibition cartoon, "An asset or liability?" The Moderate League had asked whether the 100.000 New Zealtinders who went to tho war wero a liability. Tho answer was that the vast majority of our troops were a splendid and glorious asset, but a few —a very small percentage—were a very distinct liability, ami it was their contact previously with the liquor traffic that mado them a liability. (Jeers.) What about, lio asked, the small proportion of tho 100,000 who left here and never got as far as the trenches because they rail up against the traffic over tilers? What about tho soldiers who through tho influence in tho first place of drink were confined in the barbed-wire hospitals? Were tliev an asset or a liability? Were wo to remain satisfied merely with having tho best Army in the Empire, tho most snirit in tho Empire? We should aim at having 100 per cent, asset and 110 liability at all. In this connection he was firmly convinced that the first thing to do was. to get rid of the liquor traffic which niatio so many of the pcoplo a liability. Mr. Morice then wont on to answer a few of the arguments of the trade. Tho first, ho said, was that "lioan: old question" liberty of tho sullied. In this connection what made anything wrong? It was bccausc it was against tho best interests of the community and a menaco to the community. Wo had every right to prohibit it. This remark applied to tho liquor traffic, which was a menace to tho community. Tho safety of the nublicat large should be. and would be, tho first consideration. Another "old chestnut" was that of revenue. It was argued that the revenue would show a marked falling-off, nnd in order lo bolster . it up Iho pooplo would bo more heavily taxed. This theory he pointed out would not stand investigation. Experience of other countries was to tho- contrary. With the carrying of prohibition an immense saving would bo effected in tho cost of running the police, the gaols, hospital and charitable aid institutions and asylums. Even if tho country would ' rcquiro the f>ame amount of revenue as beforo prohibition—which it would not— wo would not require moro jaxation to prod lies it. If wo could produce tho revenue now wo could produce it r»fter prohibition without making any further call on tho taxpayers. The very worst that could happen was that the taxation might bo of a different nature. He challenged tho liquor traffic or tho Moderate- League to produce any single case where prohibition had resulted in taxation being increased. If there had been any ca.se on record in tho world it would havo been blazoned abroad by the moderate party. At this stago a section of the audience began to get out of hand, and tho chairman had to make an appeal for order. Continuing, the speaker said that if any peoplo wero going lo pay move taxation under prohibition it would not bo tho drinking men—it would be tho total abstainers, and they were not squeaking at all. Drug Alienations Explained, Referring to the allegations regarding prohibition and the drug evil, Mr. Movice enid they stated that in New York there were 103,000 people who wero addicted to drugs. New York came under prohibit tiou in July of last year, The trado

said that thoao peoylo bocamo.addicted to drugs in March of Inst year on account of prohibition which eiuno into force in .luly of last year. It must havo been tho thought of liquor that drovo them lo drugs. (Laughter). There was evidence, however, that under prohibition tho drugtaking habit died out. The speaker also combated tho argument that under prohibition a largo number of persons would bo nut out of work. Plenty of work would be found for 'them, just as thousands of soldiers had been absorbed. But the drink traffic had to go on or wo could not cet our revenue—the poor old moderate drinker would not get his daily glass of grog. (Uproar at the back of the hall.l Tho speaker resumed his seat amid anolause. An Interesting Interlude. At this stage a young man stood up aud remarked: Will you allow mo to ask a. Question? As a returneu officer of-tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force I would like to ask the last speaker whether lie was ever in France, and, if so, what battalion he was attached to, and whoihcr ho was ever over tho top—(uprrar'i—and whether he drew his rum ration as a soldior, and enjoyed it? The chairman: How many more questions in that lot? Mr. Morice: I have much pleasure in answering that question. 1 was in France. I was an officer in tho 2nd Battalion. New Zeiilano Kille Brigade. The chairman: Hold on, that man will anologiso if he is wrong. Mr. .Uorice (continuing): I went over tho top three times. . (Applause.) Afte? tho last occasion tho doctors had to stich mo up in 17 places. With regard to tho rum issue, on innumerable occasions I distributed rum to my men, and perhaps on half a, dozen occasions 1 look rum, but only when 1 was going to have an opportunity of going to sleep. Tho chairman (to tho questioner): Apologise. You said jou were an officer in France—most officers aro gentlemen. Will you apologise? No response was forthcoming. Tho cnairnian: If you aro tot a notablo exception to tho rule, you will apologise. response.) I did not expect you would. Will you apologise? No?" Then you aro a cad!_ (Applause.) The questioner attempted to make an explanation to the cifcet that ho had no occasion to apologiso, but he was howled down. An Interrupted Duet, Another vocal item was aiiounced-a duet by two young ladies— and during its course the crowd at tho back gut restive, and 'commenced to interrupt, vith the result that tlie singers could not bo heard. Tho chairman: "Jiißt a minute." (Uproar, during which ho was counted out.) This led tho chairman to remark that lie refused to believe that men who had fought for their country would refuse to givo tho ladies a hearing. > Tho periormers wero then allowed to continue free from interruption. Mr. Smith's Address, Mr. Smith then proceeded with his address. Just to remove any misapprehension, ho stated at the outset that lie never saw France, he never went over tho top, and ho never had a rum issue. Ho left with tho ill-fated Fortieth Reinforcements, aud none of their, infantry saw France. Mr. Smith then appealed lo his audience to listen to reason, Continuing, he said 'that the Moderate Leaguo must have very limited vision. A. voice: What did you see in Loudon? Mr. Smith: I will answer you later on. Tne cii'ect of liquor, continued > Mr. Smith, was reflected in tho lunacy statistics in New Zealand. In l his 1011nection, the superintendent of the Auckland Mental Hospital put down 40 per rent, of tho adm.siions as duo lo alcohol. If men lost their reason through drink, was not that a sufficient reason banisli.it from tho country? Alcohol stood also for crime, aud in this connection he referred to the opinion of Sir Robert Stout that two-thirds d the crimo in this country was directly due to alcohol. Taking serious crime, 210 people entered tho gaols la.sf year because of the liquor traffic. Tho divorce statistics also reflected tiie evils of liquor. Lngl sh Judges, including the President of the English Divorce Court, had said that the divorco courts could probably close their doors if the effects due to alcohol could bo swept away. Another point mado by tho speaker was that the Jewish Rabbi of Wellington had made a statelr.ent to tho effect that drink caused more damage to tho human inci) tln\n all the rest of tho evils of tho world put together. Speaking as a member of tho Charitable Aid Hoard, the liabbi hail stilted that 80 per c;nt. of charitable aid out-door relief could be saved if the Ofl'ects of alcohol could be a'bnl'shcd. This contention was borne out by tho statement of the chairman of a southern hospital and charitable aid board that if Southland \VoaiUI only follow the example of hivercargill SO per cent, of charitable aid relief would be saved. Mr. Smith next invited his audience to consider tho little c-hiUlf.iH. Alcohol w<is no friend of theirs. In England Dr. Biirnardo had estimated that ?o per cent, of the children in hi;-- honm were. 'here because of tho alcoholic habits of the'.r parents.. Mr, Gray on the Opposition, Mr. Gray then spoke, and asked tho men at tho back, whom lie was ploast'd to see there', to givo him a fair hearing. Be Vnom tho ''Diggers at the back" would bo good sports. (Hear, 'hear.) Proceeding, Mr. Gray said that when the Moderate League asserted flinty the Prohibition League tried to stampede the Government into, taking last April's referendum, aii'.ii, further, that (lie Prohibition Party tried to block the soldiers voting, they told deliberate lies. The Moderate League also told u third falsehood by suppressing the truth in that they dill not tell the soldiers in their article. circulated abroad that there was such a thing as an Efficiency BoivAi: in the country. He naiiicd.certain members of the Mo'der.Ho League in this connection, and ohnllenepd them to deny tho accuracy of his allegation that they had iied. Mr. Gray also refilled (lie allegation that the Prohibition Parly had first advocated the compensation referendum. This was broached by llm Efficiency Boar'- 1 . As a matter of fuel, one of tiho stipulations of th p Prohibition Party in agreeing l to the referendum was that* the soldiers mu-l have a voto on the question. The statement made on Sunday night to the contrary was another lie. Now, would not the soldiers at I ho front, ihave revised, their opinion of tho Prohibition Parly had they known the real truth? If his friends at the hack would reasonably face the question they couid not conscientiously deny that the liquor traffic was harmful to the community. State Control. M.r. Gray then went on to point out that the pcoplo of New Zealand ;! col Stau c»n4r«l if tlu-jr first voted prohibition in. Let them wipe_nut tho liounr trade first, and give prohibit on a trial for three years. If at tho end of this period prohibition had not proved sat'ffaclorv, then let llu-m demand a noil and ask for a straight-nut voto boIttcen State control and proh'bition. ■A voice: Will you support it? Mr. Gray: "Yes, I will. I will do more. If you will give in a fair go by vot : ng prohibition th's time, and it ilee." not solve the evils of liquor, T will '<une out and talk on-tiie next best solution.' That is a fair go, is it not?" Mr. Gray went on to po'nl out that by voting in State control thev would bo paying the Timor trade f. r > millions, and then not doing away with the evil. Inferring to America, Mr. Gray described the argu m Jilts of tho trade about prohibition being a failure jn that country a<i "tliat old tripe." A\ by. he* esked, wero the; Am»riean peop!o_ adopting prohibit ion' if they were going, as the trade allied,, to the devil A voice: Through ignorance. Mr. Gray went on to point out that 23 Slates in America, had gono dry beforo 7hc general enactment of prohibition in was enforced. Tho whoio cnuntrv went dry bocaus'; they saw tho blessings wrought by prohibUion 'u thess 28 States Touching e'liciency, tho "peakcr said lhat iho Ainor'cn.i.-: were pimply swarming to capture the world's 1 r.idc," and w : lh this object in view ihry had unloaded drink. The British people would leave the standing if !b"'- would o"ly fin e H !'n in-. Another matter referred to by Mr. Gray was a liquor advertisement which appeared in a recent issue of tho "Sport-

ing and Dramatic News." In this advertisement was a facsimile of a liallot paper with tho two bottom lines struck out, with tho warning that unless theso two bottom lines wero struck out. tho vote was invalid. This, ho considered, was an illegal practice, and ho had referred tho matter to tho Attorney-Gen-eral to seo ivhother it was actionable. Medical Association Indicted. Mr. Gray, continuing, paid that tho Allianco asked tho British -Medical Association in New Zealand to lako a plebiscite on tho question whether alcohol was a good thing as a beverago for tho country. Tho vqtc was taken, but what was the result? At ' a mooting of the council of tho association the chairman, who was a friend of tho trade, exercised both his deliberative and his casting vote to prevent tho publication of the ballot. Tho votes had boon counted, but through tho opposition of. two members of the association whom ho named who had interests in the liquor trade, who threatened to resign from tho association if tho ballot wore published, tho council decided to send it back to the. districts, with the understanding that tho whole question would como up before the council on December 12, two days after tho then supposed date of tho election. "I want," continued tho speaker, "to throw out this challenge, to tho lledical Association. I ask them to disnrovo the fact that the votes locked awav—for they are locked up—record a three or four to one vote in favour of m'ohibition." Mr Gray added that the doctors of this country liao' voted heavily aiainst alcohol as a beverage, and the doctors interested in liquor were absolutely preventing the result of tho voto being male public. A Missing Report. Tho Licensing Bench of Wellington mot. ho continued, the other day, and tho inspector prepared a special report on the hotels of Wellington, and it had not been published, and lie was going to ask tho meeting to carry a resolution of protest against tho withholding of this re-, port. ■ Tho speaker then read a number of extracts which ho claimed wero taken from this report, involving numerous nidations of lax and unlawful conduct of various hotels, One extract alleged that drinking by females was very noticeably on tho increase in Wellington. In ono case the report ran:—I regret to have to advise £hat my sergeants have reported to mo, ts a result of their observations when visiting hotels, that drinking bv females is very noticeably ou. t.ho increase in tho city, and is becoming exceedingly prevalent, liven in Inn company of men in the open bars of some of the licensee! houses as many as thirteen women wero found drinking in one of tho smaller hotels a few days ago. In mentioning this matter 1 wish to say that I am not reflecting on tho general conduct of tho .premises whom tiio womeu aro supplied with liquor. I feel that this information should bo given you in tho public interests. Motion of Protest Carried. Beforo resuming his scat Air. Gray moved tho following resolution, which was earned on a sliow of hands, only seven persons, he declared, voting against it"'i'lint this meeting o{ citizens protest against the non-publication of the report of tho inspector of police submitted to the last meeting of the Licensing Bench, a report in which very serious rollections relating to the liquor traffic are inado upon the conduct of several of tho Wellington hotels, and in which the inspector draws Attention to tho serious increaso of drinking among women." Tho meeting.was then brought to a closri after a returned soldier had registered an emphatic protest against tho returned men being made tho butt of both politicians, trado supporters, and prohibitiunists.