THE CHILDREN’S PICNIC.

Kumara Times, Issue 1007, 22 December 1879, Page 2

THE CHILDREN’S PICNIC.

The following protest front the Tern* perance bodies of the district which hast been forwarded to the Chairman of the Children,s Picnic Committee has been handed us for publication We, the undersigned, instructed.. by resolution of our various Lodges, beg to protest against the action of tho Children’s Picnic Committee in making arrangements fof the sale of intoxicating liqUors on the grounds on New Year’s Day. We claim that you have in this overstepped your, duties, as it is not required of a committee arranging a children’s picnic, which is intended to he for the enjoyment of the children, to introduce intoxicating drinks that are not supposed to be used by them in-any way; The children’s picnic has always been locked on as a popular institution, and in which all parties could take part on art eqital footing; but as a result of your action, we, and ail holding temperance principles will- in future be debarred front taking part, or allowing their children to attend'Che picnic* Unless they risk all the indignities that may be expected where intoxicating drinks are allowed to be freely 6old> It is no reply to say that drinks were sold last year in the adjoining bush. If, Such was the Case, steps should be taken to obviate it in the future. If-the law cannot be hfOught to bear against offenders, surely publicity and the cdhteinpt of their fellows Should be enough to deter any one from, acting So unseemly. Instead of this* you attempt to make respectable what is in itself iniquitous, by putting it under the patronage and cloak Of the clergy and respectables of the district. How can these clergymen (all professed advocates of Temperance) ever ptay to be kept from temptation, while they take part in deliberately setting a snare to the fCet of their fellowmen.

Again subscriptions have beCil given towards the picnic under the belief that it would be conducted similarly, to What it Was last year, and by people who would certainly not give their assistance to the upholding of our drinking customs. And lastly, gentlemen, we protest that the people Of this district do not desire to have intoxicating drinks On the ground on that day. It is nothing short of insulting to this community to insinuate, aS your action doeS) that we cannot enjby ourselves with the children for one day, without indulging in what is undoubtedly the greatest vide Of our day.;. We have to request you therefore to take such steps as will obviate What* if carried out, cannot fail to be the death blow to the children’s picnic. We are, Yoursj &c.j Moses Barrowman, W. C. T. Kumara Lodge L 0; 0. T*. j Bait M ‘Go wan, W.C.T; Eagle Lodge LO.G.T. ‘ Edward Wright, W.P, Star of Peace Division SiO.T.;