Mr Glover's Lecture

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 51, 15 October 1892, Page 2

Mr Glover's Lecture

This well known temperance lecturer gave an address in the Feilding Wesleyan Church last eyening. The Rev. Mr Lyon (chairman) introduced the talented gentleman to the meeting, and said that as a result ot Mr Glover's ceaseless efforts in the cause of temperance, in the days to come he would be pointed out as one of the benefactors of New Zealand. Mr Glover in opening his address, said that the cause of prohibition is making vast strides all over the South Island, where the most popular and largely attended public meetings are those promoted by the temperance party. A brewer in Dunedin told the lecturer that the result of the last licensing contest held in that city, had reduced the public house property 50 per cent. " Total abstinence for the individual, prohibition for the State " is watch-word of their party, and a well known citizen of Wellington assured him that he could see it coming. The people of Oamaru are in fayour of prohibition, and were only beaten owing to a technicality in the law ; in the second contest, the publicans strained every nerve to gain the day and brought great outside pressure to bear. In Svdeoham, and Rosljn, prohibition in absolute, and yet in the former town, three houses are now selling drink without a license, owing to Justice Denniston's decision. On the other hand, Justice Williams says the publicans in Roslyn cannot sell drink, consequently matters are in statu quo until the Court of Appeal gives its decision. The Licensing Committees should have absolute control of the question. Justice Dennison says these Committees have acted in an arbitrary and bussed manner ; but is not he in a biassed position, seeing that he owns L7OO worth of shares in a wholesale house largely engaged m the liquor traffic? People in every district have a right to a voice in this question. Women have even a greater interest than men, and should at least have equal powers with the latter. Touching upon the question o£ the Licensing Bench, the lecturer said that th© difficulty in eyery district was to find five men willing to take the responsibility of sitting on the Bench, therefore he urged that the power should be in the hands of the people. Mr Joyce, a private member introduced the Local Option Bill to the House and it passed the second reading. Mr Ballance was requested to assist the Bill through its final stage, but refused and it was thrown out. Mr Glover warned his hearers to look for no assistance from the present Government in carrying their Bill ; the only member of the Government on their side was the Hon Richard Seddon, and he is in favor of prohibition without compensation. He opposed Mr Ballance because he is not liberal enough for him, he would vote Tory, if the man were with him on this question. Ballance is opposed by Carson in Wanganui, the latter is a staunch prohibitionist — the Christians, teetotallers, and all the good folks vote Carson, and he supposed tbe others voted Ballance. Every election Carson got nearer to Ballance, and assuredly the Premier in the end would haye to go. Take the question of slavery. Wilbei-force kept his object steadily in view, and never rested till success crowned his efforts. Cobdeu and Bright, in the

time of the Corn Law agitation, carried their project by persistent energy. Teetotalers number many of the " jelly fish " species amongst them. He had often come across some who were in the habit of taking painkiller. This vile compound' is stronger than the most potent alcohol. The hot weather will soon be coming on and a great many will be making hop beer, and the nearer it approaches beer the better they will like it. He opposed anything in the shape of alcoholic drink. I It was only by strenuous exertions that great reforms were carried, and the lee- ! turer concluded an able and interesting • address by stating that " Total abstinence for the people, prohibition for the State" was their platform, and on that they took their stand. The choir rendered several selections of music, and Mr Perkins recited " The Wreck," during the evening, and the proceedings were closed by the chairman in the usual manner.