THE NO-LICENSE CLOCK.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 417, 25 November 1911, Page 7

THE NO-LICENSE CLOCK.

(Published by Arrangement)

AND ITS BELLS OF BENEFIT J AND BUSINESS. By "Crusader." THE CLOCK STRIKES FOUR AT INVERCARGILL. The fifth largest town in New Zealand carried No-license in 1905.; Sixteen hotels were closed and the Trade said they would be a drug on the market, deteriorate in value, etc., < j tc. What ary the -'acts after six years trial? Simply this, that Invercargiil has gone ahead wonderfully, the population increasing after 1905 from 11,900 to 14,790 in 1910-again of 34 per cent., and the very hotel properties increased in value 36£ per cent. vVhile no one claims that all the prosperity and progress of Invercargiil or any other "dry area," is due entirely to No-License, yet fact? so strongly refute the assertion of the brewer, that No-License ruins a place. There is building at present in Invercargiil, a palatial hotel, four stories high and to be fitted with every modern convenience. An Anglican Church costing over £SOOO, and a new Presbyterian costing over £15,000 are in course of erection. Just a few days ago 150 business men with the Mayor, issued a manifesto testifying to the benefits of No-License morally, socially and commercially. The exMayor says he has lived in Invercargiil for 40 years and that there is very little sly grogging in fact he says he met a man the other day who said "I am going back to Invercargiil, for I am sure that Invercargiil is the best place in New Zealand for the working man." "What music in the bells!

THE CLOCK STRIKES FIVE AT OAMARU.

One of the most handome towns in the Dominion. Built largely and substantially of tin celebrated white atone. In 1905 it also carried NoLicene. Do the bella ring out a dirge or give'a merry peal of joy? Let us listen! Property has gone up in value the "Alliance" Hotel was sold this year for £3BBO such price being reckoned a clear indication of this fact. One of the leading business men in the town—who voted for continuance and was a staunch liquor man —now says he would not take £SOO to see license restored. How go the bella! The Mayor testifies that there is practically no drunkenness, the moral tone excellent, business good, the rateable value of properties steadily increased in recent years while borough rates have been reduced 3d in the £ on the annual value. What a peal! Oamaru doctors certify a contradiction to the misleading reports about drinking in homes and arc convinced No-License is a great benefit to the community. Still they ring! According to Parliamentary returns j Oamaru saved directly £72,000 by No-License during two yeara ending i 1908. Crime decreased from 341 cases | in 1904-5 to 93 in 1908-9. The Oamaru Mail—welcome bell —said, "Any disreputable drinking which may exist in this district is only as the effluvium of a tallow candle which has just been extinguished." How grand the chiming bells! THE CLOCK STRIKES SIX AT GREY LYNN. | Another of the trio of electorates j which went "dry" in 1905, nearest to us ail of all and most satisfied of all as to the benefits of No-License. Prosperity reigns in Grey Lynn! Mr A. Myers, the brewer, says: "Seventy per cent. cent, of the occupiprs of houses in Grey Lynn own their homes." The No-License vote gained last election 1600 upon the previous poll. The people of Grey Lynn have voted it out and consequently we are 1 not surprised to hear that the adjacent hotels in Auckland show no proportionate increase in their business. That facility creates the "frafnc," is demonstrated in Grey Lynn. The unimproved value of the borough increased between 1906 and 1910 by £105,152, about 40 per cent. So great and valuable has been the testimony of Grey Lvnn to the benefits of No-License, that Auckland West adjoining, secured a majority of 312 votes over the necessary three-fifths, last poll .but being attached to other electorates the vote was effective. The bells boom out that in Grey Lynn "all is well'"

THE CLOCK STRIKES SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE IN QUICK SUCCESSION !

Seven, joins us at Bruce This electorate carried No-License in 1902 but the vote was voided on a technicality. "All things come to those who wait —■ and work," however, and in 1908 Bruce had its revenge and carried No-

License by a good majority over the necessary three-fifths. Milton, a prosperous inland town on the line from Dunedin is the main to.vn of Chris electorate. Though the test run only been a short one so far, the verdict in Milton is in every way simiiar to other "dry" an as. Musicuss people express the desire nyver to see license restored. The town as a whole is well satisfied Not a shred of evidence can be obtained in Uruoe as an argument against No-License. The beiis speak out the joyous testimony of prosperity, peaca and permanent good. Eight! Nine! Strikes the clock in quick succession, we rapidly du the circuit of two electorates of a very distinct and unique kind. Wellington South and Wellington Suburbs are both portions of the capital of New Zealand. Under the very observation of the "powers that be" in Parliament, both electorates are a demonstration of the effectiveness of the No-License reform. One of the strongest evidences of these benefits, even where handicapped by the close proximity of "wet" areas, as in these cases, is in the fact that try as they may, the Liquor Party dare not hold up either of these electorates and say "Look at the failure!" How they would delight to do so, if there was the least evidence to substantiate auch a charge. "The Party" would now have men following in the wake of the No-License orators, to smash every argument with the practical evidence of No-License as a failure. And rightly so, too, for of all people the No-License reformers want something that stands as well in practice as on paper. Voters, there is no doubt that we have it. The proof is so overwhelming that we must, at the coming poll, strike "hard for liberty." Voters, do not hesitate but let the bells ring in a great confidence to your hearts, and a rousing courage, which wiil next month move your hand to "STRKE OUT THE TOP LINE ON BOTH PAPERS," for "I'd rather be dumb, Than pray like some—• "Thy kingdom come" —■ And still vote for rum!"