PROHIBITION RALLY

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 583, 29 November 1902, Page 3

PROHIBITION RALLY

There was a crowded house at the Theutro Royal last evening, when a thanksgiving meeting to celebrate the victory of the Prohibitionist Party in the colony was held. Much enthusiasm was shown. Mr C. A. JJcLautour presided, and on the stage were Mesdames Sievwright, Graham, Paterson, and Napier, Miss Palgarriie, and Messrs Graham, Kohore, Somervell, and Keys. Paterson, Itothwell, and Glmttorton. After tho Moxology had been sung, the Itev. Paterson led tho meeting in prayer. The Chairman said he saw no greater cuuso to assemble than they hud that night. There was great justification for thanksgiving. Wuiapu hud advanced in the number of prohibitionist votes, while the opposite side hud lost to the ovtent of fOCI or lbO votes, ft was not intended to boast of their majority, but they had embarked on a cause which they knew would prosper, arid which they intended to stand by. Me deprecated any attempt to say that the heads of churches should take no part in social reform. It seemed to him thut they should, as servants, follow tho example of their Master as to Mis good work to Mis fellow men. If it was wrong for Christian ministers to take part in matters of social reform it was also wrong for Christians to take a part. Mo wished to say a word to those who gave a large part of their life in assisting social reform, and said such persons were entitled to their wannest thanks for tho good work done. They had not privato means enough to devote their all to tho work, and though they might be paid, he could say that not ono was paid sufficient to adequately recompense thorn for the work dorio. (Applause.) Mr J. Kast sang “ Mcuven sh vll muko perfect our imported lives.” Tho Rov. J. G. Paterson moved the following resolution:—“That tho advocates of No-license iu tho Waiapu electorate hoartily congratulate tho electorates which huvo carried No-liconse upon tho result; and in particular desiro to express their gratification to tho Clutlia electors, not only that thoro has been no retrogression, but that fewer pooplo than beforo bavo

voted for restoration of Liconsc.” In a short speech in moving the resolution ho suid ho wished to bury tho hatchet as far as any advocato of license was concerned, but ho would never bury the hatchet against tho trade while a licensed hotel existed in Gisborne. Tho party had guined in numbers throughout the country, and also in tho Houso. Ho mentioned the names of T. E. Taylor, Ell, Bodford, and Aitkon, Up to dato the votes of continuance woro 124,521, and no-license 128,741; that was to say they had a majority throughout Now Zealand of 4200 votes. Last election continuance voted

142,448, and no-liconso 118,575. Tho gain to tho prohibition vote up to date had boon 10,167, and tho loss to tho publicans’ side 17,107 votes. Tho Bov. Mr Chatterton soeouded tho motion. Ho was sorry that tho licenses had not been wiped out in Waiapu, if only for tho saKo of the Maori raco. He had four facts to plaeo before tho meeting that evening. The first was that tho drink bill of tho colony was steadily increasing ; the second fact was that it was cloarly shown that tho electors of tho colony woro not satisfied with tho present state of things ; tho noxt was that indications were abroad that attompts wore likely to bo mado to upset the local option law; and tho fourth fact was that tho Americans consumed less drink than Britishers, and they were moro go-ahoad. Carnogio himself had stated that if tho drink bill of England was reduced tho better it would be for the Englishman. Mr W. J. Barlow sang “ Tho Toilers ” ; oncore, “ Daddy.” Miss Balgarnio said tho achievement added a stono to tho pinnaelo of the colony’s greatness. She confessed to great disappointment at the non-carrying of prohibition at Invercargill, but she knew of something behind the scenes to account for it. Mataura had carried prohibition, and it was alongside of Clutlia. The victory in that district was a great object lesson to tho colony, as was aleo tho victory at Port Chalmers. The Ashburton victory was a great ono, of which she was also proud. Sho said all should pledge thomselves to work for no license at the next cloetion. Victory depended on each person making their best individual efforts, and assisting in tho great and glorious cause.

The resolution was carried unanimously. Tho Rov. Mr Rothwell moved tho fol-

lowing resolution : —“ That this meeting congratulates tho Presidont and officers of the New Zealand Alliance upon the rapid advanco of tho cause of No-lioenso as shown at tho recent polls, which advance in a groat measure is believed to be due to the enterprise and courage of the Affiance.”

Tho mover spoke of congratulation, not only to tho electors of Waiapu, but to all those who had carried Prohibition, and mado an excellent speech in support of the motion. Mr J. Somervell seconded tho motion, and in a strong speech supported the proposition. The motion was carried. Tho Chairman then moved tho following resolution : —“ That this mooting pledges itself that every elector here preson!, who voted no-licenso, and overy body also, young and old, will do his and hor utmost to make tho next Waiapu poll a time of victory.” Mrs Napior spoke supporting the resolution, urging all to join the Prohibition League and become active members. She also invited the ladies to join tho W.C.T.U. Tho motion was carried. Mr Graham moved, “ That a hearty vote of thanks bo accorded to the Alliance for tho excellent speakers and workers sent by them into tho electorate.” Ho spoko very strongly on the matter. Tho motion was seconded by Mr Kohore. Ho said he had only cheered on two occasions—when Mafeking was relieved and when Clutha had declared for no-liconse. The next cheer ho would give would be when Waiapu declared for Prohibition. Ho was grieved very much at the voting on the Coast, where the Maoris were in numbers, and woro much harm was done them. Mr Kobcro spoko strongly on bohalf of tho Maoris, and hoped tho noxt poll would be favorablo to their interests.

Tho motion was then put and carried, aud tho mootiDg dispersed,