Temperance Address.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 132, 3 December 1895, Page 2

Temperance Address.

There was a fair attendance at the j Temperance Hall last evening to hear Mr 'ii. Field's address on the Temper- j ance question, the weather being unfa- j vorable. Mr Greenwood occupied the j chair and introduced Mr Field, who gave a brief review of the progress of the colony during the last year or two, I the various factors which were put in , force to bring about the new Liquor Bill 1 and some of its principal features. He referred to the defects in the licensing law of 1892 and subsequent amend- ; incuts up to 1894, when another Bill j was introduced with certain important | reforms, but it did not go past the com- I mittee of the House. However, good was done as every influence which tended to keep the principle before the public, so much the sooner would victory crown their efforts. Members of Parliament and many of the public know very little about the question until the measure of 1894 was introduced and it served to educate their legislators who found that they had a solid party iv the House with a substantial majority determined to get temperance legislaii.vn for the people. The Alliance obtained the opinion of temperance workers from all parts of the colony. A thoroughly representative convention with 150 representatives from all parts of the colony was hold in Wellington in July, when a monster demonstration was held. The outcome being that a deputation was appointed to wait on the Premier, who gave them an audience of three hours during the session to discuss the question. Such a thing as the Premier giviug so much of his time to a temperance deputation had never occurred in the history of any Parliament. Mr McNab, member for Mataura, was entrusted with their Bill and he introduced it into the House, but it only got as far as the second reading. Tbey did not want it go further, but what they wanted was to show that there was unanimity amongst the temperance party. Also, they desired to tell the House and country what they wanted. Again it served the purpose of forcing the hands of the Government in the early part of the session they (the Govt.) mtrodacing a measure immediately. The Government Bill had some good points, and when in committee: the Premier gave it into the hands of the members, teliing them tc make of it what they could. Yv'licu it got through, it came out the most perfect measure in the British Empire. He complimented Sir R. Stout on liis ablo and forcible speech on the Bill and said the people of New Zealand owed a debt of gratitude to that gentleman. When the Bill got to the Upper House it was badly treated. There was a good section financially interested in the perpetuation of the drink traffic and a large section were opposed to all social reforms of whatever kind. He did not think there was an abstainer in the Council, with whom the brewers and liquor traffic people used their influence. A deputation of brewers visited the Premier who did not receive them well. The principal features of the Bill which became law, were that they would have the opportunity of recording their votes once in three years on three questions : (1) Whether the existing number of licenses should remain, (2) reduction, or (3) prohibition. Two votes could be given, one for reduction and the other for prohibition ; the day of the voting would be on the name as the general election and would be about November next. They did not wish to gain a victory by a snatch vote, but they wanted to give the people an opportunity to vote and the general election day was the most suitable. They should strike out the top line on the ballot paper and vote " No license," which will cover every saie in the district excepting club charters. Referring to the Clutha district, he said tbey did not have prohibition there, it was only partial, a measure of prohibition. When they voted last time they had only power to vote against a portion of the licenses. For instance, there was a river in Ciutha, on which a steamer plied with a packet license, and there was a railway station at which liquor was sold, besides permits were granted for having booths at races and sports. Prohibition hadn't had a fair trial there — it was only partial. He did not admit it (prohibition) was a failure — it was not. There were highly beneficial results and he quoted authorities in support of this contention. The Upper House had deleted, in the Licensing Bill, the provision for national prohibition, which, he contended the people had a right to determine for the whole colony. If prohibition was carried by a 3-sthß majority, it would take a 3-sths majority to reverse it. He condemned the working men's clubs where, he said, the drinking was excessive. He nrged the people of this district to organise as they were doing in other parts of the colony and make a fight for the local option next November. A3-sths majority of those who voted, and not the roll number, was required to carry prohibition. On the motion of Mr Greenwood a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Field. Several musical selections were given during the evening by a choir under the conductorship of Mr G. Bartholomew.