MISS BALGARNIE’S LECTURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 570, 14 November 1902, Page 2

MISS BALGARNIE’S LECTURE.

Then) was ii crowded houso at tho Theatre Royal hist evening, whon Miss Balgarnio delivered her Gist address in Gisborne on the subject of 11 No Lieenso." His Worship the Mayor presided, and hespoko for tho Iccturess a fair and attentive hearing. Miss Balgarnio, who was received with applause, prefaced her remarks by giving 601110 of tho reasons that had induced her to come to the colonies in tho interests of the temperanco question. She said that she was a native of Yorkshire, and took a great interest in Poverty liny on account of the fact that it was the Gist lauding plaeo of Captain Ccolt, who was also a nativo of Yoikshire. Tho previous evening, as tho boat came into tho Bay, sho obtained a view of Young Nick’s Head, tho land first sighted by Cook, and sho was tnoro delighted with that point than with anything else sho had seen in New Zealand, the Clutha always oxcoptod. (Applause.) Passing on. Miss Balgarnio said that as far aH she could sco there was not nearly so much chinking in the colony as at Home, but this was all the inoro reason they should put on the brake by voting no license. iShc expected to see no licooso carried in three or four electorates in Now Zealand, and people in the South were in hopes that Gisburno would ho well to tho front in this direction. In a forcible address, Miss Balgarnio dealt with the question of no bcense from tho point of view of idle liberty of the subject. 11l a series of illustrations, sbo sought to show that the carrying of no-license did not interfero with the liberty in tho true sense. The speaker highly eulogised the legislation of the Seddon Government, and especially the laws relating to tho acquisition of land for close settlement, preventing boys under 11 being employed in factories, and many other measures which, like tho local option law, were all of a progressive and democratic character. In conclusion, Miss Balgarnio invited questions from thoso present, and announced that sho would speak on Sunday evening on tho subject, “ The Good Samaritan Up-to-date.” Tho Uov. Chattel-ton expressed sympathy with tho movemont, remarking that it was a very hopeful thing to sco so many young men present He sevorcly criticised £ Mr Lysnar’s Temperanco Reform League, which had, ho said, suddenly sprung into existence, lie would ho greatly surprised if it lived for twelve months. Ho had seen other reform leagues rißo for occasions, but they never lived for moro than a fow weeks. lie proposed a hoarty voto of thanks to Miss Balgarnio for her uddress. The Rev. J. G. Paterson, in seconding tho voto of thanks, referred to an inset that had appeurod in tiro pross, remarking, “ Now, Mr Chairman, ladies, and geritlomen, do not make any mistuko about this business. It is meant to he in tho interest of continuance; of that I am perfectly certain. But let no one bo hood-winked or caught iu fan-ying that it has something to do with temperance roform. It is brought out as a trap to avoid the main question.” Tho motion was carried with acclamauiation, and a vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated tho proceedings.