The Licensing Bill.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 51, 29 August 1893, Page 2

The Licensing Bill.

4 PUBLIC MEETINGS. (pee pbess association.) Chbistchubch, August 28. Fnlly three thousand attended the Direct Veto meeting in Cathedral Square on Saturday. Some organised opposition was made, and the speakers were pelted with eggs, but the following resolutions were carried, not more than forty dis* senting : — " That this meeting of Christchurch electors emphatically protests against the unseemly haste exhibited by Government in rushing their Licensing Bill through the House ; That this meeting is strongly of opinion that the principles embodied in the Bill are anti-dem-ocratic and calculated to render all efforts for temperance reform fruitless for many years, and urges Government to abandon the Bill and refer the question to the people for their decision at the approaching election." On Sunday evening the Tuain Street Hall was packed, chiefly with men. The first two resolutions were submitted and carried unanimously amid great enthusiasm. Strong emphasis was laid on the fact that if the two years renewal of license clause was past it would give avested interest that could not be reyoked by future legislation without purchase. Wellington, August 28. In several of the city pulpits yesterday the Government Licensfng Bill was referred to. The Eevs Messrs Murray and Lewis (Wesleyan Church), Patterson (St. John.s), and Dallaston (Baptist), denounced the Bill. At a prohibition open-air meeting the Bevd. Mr Peters said the measure was calculated to hinder rather than advance temperance reform. Other speakers also condemned the Bill.