Band of Hope Meeting.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 347, 22 February 1902, Page 2

Band of Hope Meeting.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sir, —Seeing that there was to be a Band of Hope meeting and superior dialogue, I strolled into the meeting last „• night. At the conclusion I asked myself in what respect has this been entitled to bo called a Band of Hope meeting. It has really been a concert, with a farcical comedy, acted by, I suppose, temperance men and women. What has been said or done to encourage the children who have signed the pledge ? In what manner have their little minds been instructed as to the right or wrong of belonging to a Band of Hope ? The Chairman said he had no quarrel with those engaged in the legitimate trade of dispensing liquors. His only complaint was against the brewers who made such large profits, and had cheap recipes for making wines and spirits. Sir, I thought the temperance people took the position that intoxicating liquors were hurtful to the health of the people, and produce terrible evils to the ! bodies and souls of those who are enslaved with the appetite for them, and much suffering to their families. Sir, if the Committee who manage the affair want to teach the young people, they should try and enrich their minds with the best information obtainable, and engage them in dialogues and recitations. Amusement ' ■- maybe combined with instruction, and chemical lessons are often very helpful to illustrate the nature of alcoholic action.— I am, etc., New Choi.