THE PERMISSIVE BILL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1150, 19 October 1871, Page 2

THE PERMISSIVE BILL.

[CHRISTCBUJkCH STAR.] The promoters of the Permissive Bil| movement have reason for congratulation on the success which has attendee! their efforts to arouse the attention of the public to the necessity of an alteration in the law for regulating the traffic in intoxicating chink. Not only has the appeal which they made to theii? fellow-colonists to aid them in this work of social reform, by petitioning the (general Assembly, been responded to from every part of Ne>v Zealand, but a Permissive JBill has been introduced into the House pf Representatives by Mr Creighton, one of the Auckland members. The number of signatures to the various petitions amounted in the aggregate to 9328, a. mini Iter fully double to that which has ever been attached to any other series of petitions on any one subject in the colony. We are as yet unacquainted with the precise details of the bill brought in by Mr Creighton, but the announcement that the Hon. Mr Fox will give it his most earnest support is a sufficient guarantee that it is a step in the right direction. It must, however, be stated that the support to be afforded by Mr Pox is not as a Minister of the Crown—for the question is aii open one with the Ministry—but as a private member of the House. The friends of the Permissive ment should not be too sanguine of success. We hardly think it probable that the bill will pass this session, but if it does not, much has been done in awakening the public attention to the urgent necessity for reform in the law for regulating the liquor traffic. The education of the public mind upon this important question has been com? menced, and if it be continued with the same skill and energy that has. hitherpo been displayed, the result will be such a diminution in the tions to drunkenness as will materially tend to diminish drunkenness itself, and a dying out in a great measure of those drinking customs that greatly assist in making drunkards. It will no longer be though* correct to drink 22 toasts at a public dinner, and it will be thought disgraceful for a man to take his Aye or six, or prqhably more, nobbier* a clay under the plea of refreshment, or in accordance with the detestable custom of "• shouting •* pn. every occcasiprt. We would* however, warn the friends of reform in liquor traffic legislation, not to cease their efforts; they may now,it is true, probably rest fpr a short season, but that rest must be taken, with, their arms in their hands, ready to rise and do battle at any moment, They may rest assured that thos,e whq have initiated this great movement will be unceasing in their vigilance, that when the proper time for action arrives the aiarm will be gnen, and then will he the time for the friends of social progress —the enemies of &

system which leads to the multiplication of dram-shops, and the increase .of crime, misery, pauperism, lunacy, and premature death—to arise in their might, and with renewed yigor and increased numbers, recommence tjue assault upon the great barrier to all social reform. Let them not be discouraged if they fail again and again—no great i»f« vm has been accomplished without continuous and persevering effort. The abolition of negro slavery and the repeal of the corn lavs in England required years of hard work: to accomplish, but year by year the aggressive movement gathered stiength until it finally broke down every barrier and swept away each obstacle opposed to it. And so it will be with the Permissive Movement in New Zealand, if its promoters and their friends only remain true to themselves, true to the principles which they profess to take as their rule for guidance in this matter, and abov,e all, if they act as one man in their efforts to fulfil their righteous mission. The public attention has been thoroughly aroused respecting this vital question, and when the call to battle is again heard, let the true friends of the people, the advocates of .social reform, he ready to march onward with renewed hope, being confident that victory is certain if they only persevere unto the end.