Temperance Demonstration.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 272, 27 March 1894, Page 2

Temperance Demonstration.

. * The members oE the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Committee appointed some time back to carry out the arrangements for a Temperance Demonstration on Easter Monday, must have felt gratified with tbe success which yesterday crowned their efforts. The Demonstration, | which was iudeed a monster one, and exceeded the expectations of the most sauguine, far surpassed a similar gathering held on Easter Monday last year. Aoout 1500 people were present on the Recreation ground, including representatives from the various temperance bodies in Wanganui, Marton, i J almerstou North, Woodville, Bulls, and other centres. One and all joined heartily and enthusiastically into the proceedings of the day, and tbe outcome of the gathering should givG a decided impotU9 to the Prohibition cause. By eleven o'clock a large concourse of people had gathered in Bowen and Warwick streets, and shortly afterwards the procession, headed by the Army bnnd, which was followed by inenibir3 of the Good Templars Lodge, Band of Hope children and the general public, got under way. With the band playing lively march tunes, and the banners etc. of various colors carried by the children and others, the procession had quite an imposing effect. After a photo had been taken by Messrs Billens and Bunting, the procession moved towards the Oval, being joined by a large number of pedestrians and vehicles en route. Arrived on the ground, it was found that complete arrangements had been made for the convenience of the speakers and the public generally. Two large refreshment booths had been erected, presided over by ladies of the W.C.T.U., and these were well patronised during the day. A strong choir, under the conductorship of Mr Shearer, rendered a number of hymns and choruses during the day, and the Army band also considerably enlivened the proceedings. On tho Oval various games were indulged in by young and old, and everyone seemed bent on enjoying themselves. The Rev. Mr Marshall (Presbyterian Minister from Ilaleombe) opened the proceedings by prayer, and the choir having sung The Rev. Mr Doul (Presbyterian Minister from Bulls) came forward and shortly addressed those present. It gave him great pleasure to be prescut, and he noticed with pride the large number who had gathered together, which proved there were many willing to join in the strife against the liquor " traffic. He referred to the throe days' voting which had taken place over the Liquor Bill, and the proceedings would long be remembered throughout this and other countries. From a temperance point of view, «al though they had much to regret, they were very well satisfied with the results of the elections ; they could now see where their cause was weak, and could endeavour to strengthen weak parts. Three-fifths of the majority of voters on the roll had come forward and voted, and although a number of votes were invalid the result, he thought, was quite sufficient to prove that if the wishes of the people in the Colony could be properly ascertained, there would be a vast majority in favour of prohibition. Several motions would be submitted to the meeting for their consideration, an 1 he would ask Mr Jas. Reid (chairman of the Kiwitea County Council) to read the first. Mr Reid said he was gratified to see such a large attendance, and thought it proved that the temperance people were bent on carrying out some great works in the future. When the procession was leaving town, he heard an opposition band playing " The Death of Nelson," but he was singing to himself " The death of the liquor traffic." (Applause). The question of the liquor traffic was a very broad one ; the depression in the world at the present time was something terrible, and the liquor traffic was undoubtedly the cause of the greater portion of it. The speaker quoted figures showing the enormous amount spent in. the liquor traffic in comparison with that spent in the necessaries of life ; the speaker also quoted some of the nmny objections and queries which their opponents raised as to how the revenue would be made up if the traffic were stopped, etc. They must sweep away the liquor traffic, as the colony would be a thousand times better oft' without it. They had the Women's Christian Temperance Union, which was doing valuable work, and he would now suggest that they form a " Mon's Christian Temperance Union" — all they v. anted was a leader to take the matter up. The motion which he had been asked to read was as follosvs : — " That this meeting, while regretting that more interest was not taken in the meeting on Wednesday last, rejoices at the magnificent poll for no licenses in many other parts of the colony, and will use its utmost endeavours to carry a vote for 'no license ' in this district at the next election." Mr Reid then resumed his seat amidst prolonged applause. Mr G. Grant (head teacher Palmerston North school), rose to second the motion, and in doing so he gave a capital address, in which he vividly brought before the meeting the curses of the liquor traffic, the losses both financially and socially which the colony sustains through it, and the incalculable good would result if the trade were washed out. He thought the votes on this question should be taken on the same day as the general election. It was as certain that prohibition was going to displace the liquor traffic as that machinery was displacing hand labor (Hear, hear). Moneyed men should assist them ; more literature on the subject should be infused into homes, and newspapers should do more in the matter than they have done. How. ever, he did not place too much faith in the latter : they went ahead of the people, but they did not lead them more than the wheel-barrow led the man pushing it. Where newspapers had stepped out and supported them the results had been large. Mr Grant concluded a long and earnest address by urging the temperance people to vote triumphantly at the next election * ; No license in this beautiful land." He had mueli pleasure in seconding I the motion read by Mr Reid, which, on being put, was carried unanimously. After au adjournment for lunch, Mr iU^cu (.editor of tko >Yw4yUlu £x-

aminer) took the platform, and spoke for a considerable time, his remarks being received from time to time with loud applause. Although the newspaper men j had received a slating from Mr Grant, there were some who did support the movement (Hear, hear). They were asked to give tho present Act a fair trial ; they had done so, and it had proved the biggest fraud that had ever been placed on the Statute Book. Mr Pirani, M.H.R., defended certain points in the Act, but admitted that it needed re-forming. He referred at considerable length to various matters in connection with the traffic to which he was attentively listened. Mr Atkinson (solicitor from "Wellington), m:\de a fine speech in support of the present movement, his address abounding with wit, information and common sense. In the course of a few remarks Mr Grace, from Pahnerston North, called for t'iree cheers for the Otngo people for the splendid manner in which they polled, and the request was heartily comolied with The speaker also rend the following moiian : — " That this meeting call upon the Government to repeal ihe obnoxious clauses of the Alcoholic Liquor Sales Control Act next session, and pass a measure to give the people the power to determine — by a vote of the majority of those who have sufficient public spirit to exercise the privilege— HiorwEat extent the liquor trade shall continue, or whether it shall be entirely prodibited." The motion was seconded and carried unani. inonsly. He would propose •• That a conference be held in Pahnerston North within a month, and that delegates be invited from various districts to bo present to lay out future plans for th6tn to immediately work upon." Mr (Stubbs, President of the Prohibition League in Pahnerston North, seconded the motion, which was carried. Three liearCv cheers were given for Miss Dalr.yrr.ple (President of the W C.T.U ), and the Committee who had so successfully carried out the nrraagements for the d>.iy ; and also to Mr Doull, (Chairman of the proceed ngsi, the choir, and the Army band The choir having sung another hymn the Benediction was pronounced and the business portion of the proceedings terminated.