NO-LICENSE LEAGUE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2127, 9 July 1907, Page 2

NO-LICENSE LEAGUE.

A very well attended meeting was I held last- evening in the Wesley School I room under the auspices of the No- I License League, the social proceedings I being a. special attraction. The Rev. I Chatterton presided. Business, ad- I dresses, musical items and a coffee | supper wore the main fixtures and I a profitable and enjoyable evening-! was spent. . j The secretary (Mr. Long) road a letter from the Police Department, Wellington, refusing a request that access he given to the local police records for information regarding the number "~of drink cases. Members could not understand the official attitude, but mentioned that the bare record of cases dealt with in Court could be obtained from the Clerk of lie Court. The Chairman advised members to keep a tally from the newspaper reports for use when required, and one member volunteered uis services to keep a systematic record. Reference was made to the number of deaths directly traceable to drink, especial mention being directed to the Gcroner’s remarks concerning the two recent drowning cases. , It was reported that a large consignment of the Rev. Isitt’s paper, iio “Home Journal,” published in Auckland, had been obtained for free distribution in this district, the cost ! of carriage being paid by the League. I It was mentioned that the journal is I a very readable production, edited I mainly, of course, with a view to I furthering the party’s cause. It was I decided to have it systematically; disI tributed, and names of those willing I to assist were invited.

Correspondence was read respecting the re-adjustment of electoral boundaries. In future the Ormond and Te Ivaraka work will be under the auspices of the' Gisborne League. Mr. Palk, the organising agent, submitted his report for the month, showing that useful work continues steadily. A suggestion, re the advisableness of publishing a small journal for the Poverty Bay district, was referred to the Executive, which meets in a fortnight’s time. He read an aide paper on “Drink and Revenue.” (The text of the address appears elsewhere in this issue.) General discussion followed, the Revs. Chatterton and Griffin, Messrs. "Walker, Somervell. Graham, Stafford, Bedcover, Long and others participating. The sentiments expressed by Mr. Palk were, generally speaking.. warmly applauded, hue several members considered be bad over-estimated the hospital eases arising from drink and under-estimated the charitable aid rendered necessary by the traffic. Mr. Palk explained that the conditions were somewhat' different in this colony, and the 50 per cent, lie mentioned was intended to include both hospital and charitable aid cases jointly. Mr. Somervell did not think the Borough Council would feel the loss of revenue from licenses. The increase of trade, he argued, would lead to larger building operations and consequent increase of rateable property. One lady declared that the money saved in drink would go to comfortably furnish the homes, and clothe and feed the wives and families of those who had formerly spent their substance in drink.

Mr. Graham considered £35,000 was considerably below the sum "annually spent in liquor in Gisborne. Taking the w.hole of the district the figures would not bo far short of £70,000. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Palk for his instructive paper.