Band of Hope Meetings.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 348, 24 February 1902, Page 3

Band of Hope Meetings.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sill, —At the risk of giving too much attention to a nameless faultfinder, I must crave space for a word in reply to your correspondent “ New Chum.” If he is as accurato in everything as he is iii his report of the Chairman’s speech, he has not much to boast of. I said, as I have often said before, that I have no quarrel with the publicans, nor with any individual, and referred to their “ legitimate calling ” as that of “ providing accommodation for the travelling public.” I still say that I have no quarrel with the individual. The publicans have a perfect right to carry on their trade while the public license them to do it. I think I can show that the whole licensing system is bad, and, with all due deference to “ New Chum,” I think I did something to show it at the Band of Hope meeting. If the dose was not made strong enough for him, let him say who ho is, and we may consider his protest; but let me respectfully point out that the Band of Hope Committee can scarcely take advico from one who is ashamed to father it. Ho surely forgets that tho whole thing is anti-liquor ; we should have expected anyone with a little sense to know that; and, if nine-tenths of it is entertainment, is it not a counterblast to tho entertainment of the bar ? Wo shall welcome advice, with a name behind it: and, in the meantime, shall conduct our meetings according to our light.—l am, etc., B. F. PiCTHWELL, President Band of Hope.

'(To the Editor of the Times.) Sin,—l was much astonished to see tho remarks in your last issue by some carping critic terming himself “New Chum.” I happened to peep in at tho Band of Hope meeting that night, and was dolighted to see how the young people were enjoying themselves. I cannot claim to be a temperance man, but I am sure I would have beon ono if in my younger days I had had tho privilege of attending such gatherings before I becamo too case-hardened. Still I love to see'tho children enjoy it. Preserve tho children, I say, from the Jong-faced style of religion that is without hope. Ido not think new chum is a young one, but one who hhs had a fow more liquors than is good for Mm, and objects to temperance people having a little harmless fun. The crowded attendance and the enthusiasm in a good cause are proof that thoso who organise the attractive meetings know what they are doing.—l am, etc., Old Chum.