TEMPERANCE REFORM.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 395, 13 September 1911, Page 6

TEMPERANCE REFORM.

MEETINGS IN TE KUITI. ADDRESSES BY REV. DAWSON AND MR L. M. -ISITT, M.P. The great Maori gathering held in Te Kuiti last week led to activity amongst the No-License Party, and the oppurtunity was taken to invite the Rev. J. Dawson (secretary of the New Zealand Alliance) and Messrs L. M. Isitt, M.P., and Frank Isitt, to visit Te Kuiti and address the gathering. The speakers arrived on Sunday morning, and in the afternoon a great native gathering, with an attendance estimated at from 1200 to 1500, was addressed by the Rev. Dawson and Mr Leonard Isitt, M.P., the the topic being temperance and the coming poll. The Hon. A. G. Ngata and the Rev. Huddon acted as interpreters. Miss Smith,representative of the W.C.T.U., amongst the Maoris, also spoke. In the evening a large pakeha gathering in the Town Hall was also addressed by the Rev. Dawson and Mr Isitt. His Worship the Mayor presided, and briefly introduced the speakers, referring to them as three stalwarts of the temperance movement, and after a hymn sung by the Maori choir, The Rev. Dawson said that he would only speak briefly, so as to give an opportunity for Mr Isitt to be heard. Mr Isitt had only been induced to leave his Parliamentary duties by the fact that the native gathering was being held, and had refused dozens of other similar requests. There were one or two phases of this temperance question he wished to refer to, which they hoped to settle rightly and finally in November next. Liquor licenses continued a year at a time and might be renewed until the triennial vote was taken. On June 30th next all licenses cease, unless renewed by the vote of the people. They had no legal or moral right to renewal. It was possible that this very year might see the end of every form of licensed liquor traffic. But a three-fifths majority was needed to secure that no licenses be granted and three-fifths majority was also needed on the Dominion question. He urged voters to use all the powers they had and to strike out the top line on each paper. He did not forget the peculiar position of this electorate and that over the greater part of the King Country no licenses could be granted. Nevertheless, a portion of the Taumarunui electorate was not prohibited and they had an opportunity of casting their votes and helping to stop the renewal of licenses at the other end of the electorate and throughout the Dominioon. The wholesale value of strong drink consumed was £3,500,000 and its retail value was nearly £5,000,000. The country would not afford it. More was spent on drink than the annual earnings of the railways, and they had nothingto show for the expenditure. Over a million was spent on education and nearly five millions on degradation. There were 2000 deaths of drunkards euch year. Suppose it was 1000 deaths, was it not too great a price to pay for what was a luxury for some people? The convictions for drunkenness last year numbered 11,718, and 7056 were first offenders.

What must have been the effect in 7056 homes? He urged his hearers to use both ballot papers to help not only those in the trade, and those who drink, but for the good of their country and their'fellows. Let it be, as T. E. Taylor put it —the year of emancipation, if true to God and opportunity. Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., said lie did not think that many wanted convincing that the liquor traffic was deadly to those engnged in it, but he did not

believe half the temperance people had any idea of the magnitude of that degradation. Ten out of every iufndred moderate drinkers either absolutely ruined themselves or seriously prejudiced their health, their business prospects and their happiness, by yielding to that habit. Was the game worth the candle? If eaters spoke as

drinkers did, would not the reply be: They make their stomachs their God. If moderate drinkers were prepared to give up the use of wine, beer and spirits for two years, they would not need it after. He was brought up in an atmosphere where drink was always on the table and until he was 20 years of age did not consider teetotalism necessary. But ne had only been a few weeks in the ministry when he found the necessity for it. One reason why he did not want to drink was that he did not want to die. He did not wish to go to Heaven yet. He wanted to live, not go hobbling

rouna witn rneumatu- nearr, oraiseasen liver, and therefore he was not going to have anything to do with alcohol. In the cemetery where Tom Taylor lay buried were the graves of 20 or SO people who had died a drunkard's death. People said: Why don't you convert the drunkards? It was a poor business spending your life saving one hert! or out? there, while all the time hundreds of liquor bars are making drunkards. But it was said

drinking in moderation was a very good thing. If that could be proved it gave the whole show away. Everyday the testimony grew stronger and stronger. The medical profession 50 years ago was right on the side ot alcohol. What was the position to-

day? The boot was on the other foot. The bulk of medical men in America, England, Scotland and Ireland were strong in testimony that alcohol, as a beverage, was a scientific error. People quoted this man and the other who reached great ages and yet drunk. It would be as logical to quote an eighty-year-old teetotaler on the other side. But only large groups Should be taken, and the evidence showed that the liven of Eechabites and Sons of Temperance averaged 14 years longer than those of Oddfellows and Druids. Life assurance was a matter of £. s. d., and be could find 20 societies quoting lower premiums for teetotalers than for moderate drinkers. Mr Isitt referred to the tendency in New Zealand amongst drinkers to drink more, and concluded by making a powerful appeal to his bearers to vote for the abolition