BLUE RIBBON MOVEMENT

Kumara Times, Issue 2392, 29 April 1884, Page 2

BLUE RIBBON MOVEMENT

The Theatre Royal was fairly attended last evening, when it was known that another public meeting of persons interested in the Blue Ribbon movement would take place. Mr P. Barrowman occupied the chair, and briefly introduced Mr Holland, the only speaker on the occasion. The Rev. J. Holland said that in discussing the aims and objects of this movement which was in extension of the cause of temperance, he proposed first to speak of the subject from a medical point of view, which was regarded both in England and the colonies as the most important and convincing argument in favour of the movement. Every leading chemist had given his opinion that alcohol did not build up or strengthen the human body. Experiments had been tried on the lower animals. It was true that calves and cats fattened under it for awhile, but under its influence the cats would catch no mice [laughter] and both developed into a sleepy, sluggish state. Alcohol excited the heart, and the pulsation of drinkers was quicker than it ought to be. The reverend lecturer explained the action of the blood upon the heart and the system generally, contrasting that of the alcoholic drinker with that of the abstainer, and the decay of the former consequent on drink. It had been said to him in Kumara that it was injurious for those who were in the habit of drinking excessively to knock off spirits. He did not concur in this opinion, and instanced the number of persons sent to prison for long periods, who were suddenly deprived of drink, yet began and continued to improve in their physical condition. If men knocked off drinking outside the gaol, they would not have to go into gaol to knock it off.— [Applause.] The lecturer concluded an interesting address by a reference to his own observations amongst men who had work and studied side by side with him at college, some of whom he had seen in the lowest depths of degradation. ° The address was listened to with great attention ; at at its close a collection was made to defray expenses, A good choir of ladies and gentlemen gave some choice selections occasionally, from Moody and Sankey's hymns; and, after being invited, several ladies and gentlemen went up to the stage, and joined the “ army.”