ASHBURTON UNDER NO LICENSE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3765, 4 May 1907, Page 4

ASHBURTON UNDER NO LICENSE.

We have been handed the following for publication: Forty - six business men and firms in Ashburton, having had it brought under their notice that the borough is at present being maligned throughout New Zealand, desire, in order to preserve the good name of the town, and for the accurate information of those at a distance, to state the following facts, which are within their own knowledge as being true in every particular. They add that they do trot wish to express any opinion on the vexed question of License or Norlyicense, but deem it necessary that the exact truth about the condition of the town should be made public in an authorative manner. The desire to make the statement is to defend Ashburton against careless and reckless assertions, calculated, if uncontradicted, to do barm to the progress and prosperity of the town. (1) The growth of the town since 1902 has been steady and uninterrupted. This is shown by the valuations, which (in spite of a drop of ,£IOOO in the rateable value of licensed houses in 1903) have increased from ,£22,613 in 1902 to ,£26,679 in 1907. (2) The number of places occupied as business premises has largely increased, and there is not a single shop remaining vacant in the business area. (3) The annual report of the local branch of the New Zealand Farmers Co-operative Association, which opened up retail departments in 1902, show that the sale of merchandise has greatly increased, being ,£33,210 in 1902, compared with ,£52,867 in the year ending 31st May, 1906, an increase in volume of .£19,567 per annum. (4) The- displacement of business, as shown above, would lead the enquirer to expect decrease elsewhere, particularly as many new businesses have been opened since 1902. We have, however, been able to maintain, and in many cases, largely to increase our turnover, thus proving conclusively, that the total volume of business done in the town has largely increased during the last few years. (5) Ashburton is, in short, in as sound a position commercially, today, as at any period in its history, and any statement which implies otherwise is recklessly contrary to fact. We have every confidence in the future of the town, and protest against the unfounded rumours which are being so actively circulated. The signatures follow here, and two long-resident clergymen and a well-known farmer add the following note over their own names: — “From our personal knowledge, we believe that the above facts as to the business state of Ashburton, are correctly stated, and we are of 'opinion that the moral tone of the community is equally improved since the abolition of the licensed bar in our midst.”