NO-LICENSE MOVEMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1831, 11 August 1906, Page 3

NO-LICENSE MOVEMENT.

VISIT or Jilt I’. W. IS ITT. There was a largo attendance at the meeting of the Waiapu No License League held last evening in Townie,y's Hall for the purpose of meeting Mr F. \V. Isitt. Mr J. Somervell occupied the chair. A Timks representative was in attend-, mice at the meeting at a quarter to eight,

and enquired of . the President (Mr Somervell) and Mr Andrew Graham if the meeting was open to the press Iteeoiving a favorable assurance the reporter remained. A very interesting card circulated by the Wanganui Young Men’s No .License Club was distributed to members. This showed the growth of the no-license movement in New Zealand in nine years. In 1896 there 98, dig votes cast for nolicense against 198,768 in 19 \">, an increase of 100,456. During the same period the continuance vote increased from 169,580 to 182,88-1, an increase of 10,80-1, Nine years ago no-license was -11,268 votes behind continuance, but now it led tho way with the grand total of 15,884 votes ahead of continuance. Other facts in connection with the no-license movement were mentioned, and maps of New Zealand in black and red depicted where no-

license would be in operation if a majority of votes for the issue wore sufficient. Six electorates with a total population of 70,000 would be under no-license in 1906. The Rev. Isitt, who was cordially received, expressed pleasure at meeting

the members of tho League He expressed l-ogrct at the notice which had appeared in the press stating that lie was visiting thp district for the purpose of holding an enquiry. 110 also gave an explanation in regard to the press telegrams which followed the announcement of the Ward Ministry. He thought tho temperance party had every reason to he satisfied with the new Cabinet. They had no reason to anticipate any trouble from the Premier, and there was little prospect of any attempt being made to alter the present licensing legislation. Mr Isitt was continuing his address on general lines, now and then dropping a hint to tho reporter as to what he did not desire to be made public, when Mr F. Stafford arose and protested against the presence of press representatives. The press, he said, had not shown a loaning towards the no-lioouso party in tho past, and it was as well that they should bo excluded from the meeting that evening.

Mr Isitt said that it v/as intended that the meeting should bo a private one. Our representative, having assured Mr Isitt of the stops taken to ascertain whether the meeting was open to the press, then withdrew.