"TRUE TEMPERANCE.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 441, 10 November 1908, Page 3

"TRUE TEMPERANCE.”

Dr. Hatherley at the Public Hall.

Dr, Hatherley, of Wanganui, whose services have been secured by the “ trade ” to lecture in support of “continuance ” as against “ No-License ” delivered an address on “ true temperance,” in the Public Hall, Foxton, on Sunday night to a very good audience and received an attentive bearing. There were periodical interjections and contradictions and a slight “breeze” between two partisans, but taking the meeting alrouud, the utmost good feeling prevailed. Dr, Hatherley does not claim to be an orator and told his tale in a conversational tone. He steered dear of personalities, except in a general way to have a dig at the parsons who “sneaked round the back door of pubs to procure liquor on the excuse that they had an attack of spasms,” and remarked that he would not like to say that No-License advocates, wlxeu quoting figures, were “liars” but he would say they were “ great perverters of the truth.” A number of people attended under the impression that they were to hear an address from a No-License point of view. There was a good sprinkling of ladies present. Owing to the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, Senr. Cr Hennessy occupied the chair, and before introducing Dr Hatherley, the Chairman laid down the order of procedure. He said Dr. Hatherley will address you, after which any of the audience will be at liberty to ask any question, but on no account will counter speeches be allowed. If any of the NoLicense party ask him to take the chair in order to reply to Dr Hatherley, and his worship does not find it convenient to attend, as Senior Councillor, I will only be too happy to do so. (Applause). He asked for a fair hearing on behalf of the speaker. Dr. Hatherley was received with an outburst of applause, and said he was not au orator. He dealt with the meaning of true temperance which meant moderation in all things, eating, drinking, language, etc. He observed that all who were advocating NoLicense honestly believed they were working for a good cause. He quoted statistics from the official year book to show that the drink per head of the populationwas £2 14s 6d and gave the quantities of liquor sent into No-License areas. He said that sly-grog selling was rampant in No-License districts and it bred perjury and immorality.—He read the Licensing Act showing what would obtain if people required liquor in NoLicense areas. No-License would drive tourists away from the colony and travellers stated that the accommodation was not so good in NoLicense areas. Ministers and magistrates always put up at the licensed houses, despite the fact that there were accommodation houses at their disposal. He stated that Christ was not a total abstainer and referred to the miracle at Cana where He converted the water into wine. He

favoured compensationjjjbeing paid o publicans; opposed theattemptto interfere with the liberty of the subject; was not in favour of closing hotels but said licensees who broke the law should be prevented from conducting hotels ; he referred to the loss ot revenue it No-License obtained; ministers of religion, knew very little about the questionThe licensing laws of New Zealand were probably the most strin. gent in any part of the wor Id Would matters be improved if, instead of license and a well regulated trade, they substituted slygrog shops, spies, informers, perjury and secret drinking.. If they could not induce people to be temperate in the true meaning ol the woid, they would never succeed by compulsion. Forbidden Iruit was ever the sweetest and by forbidding drink it created a longing for it.

A considerable amount of time was taken up by questions dealing with drink etc., in No-License areas, wbicb created a good deal of interest. In reply to a question as to whether he lectured for the good of humanity or on behalf of the liquor, trade, he said he did the same for his side as Mr Isitt did for the No-License parly. (Applause). M r Horn blow moved a hearty vote of thanks to Dr. Hatherley for his interesting address and that this meeting affirms the principle of No-License. (Applause). Mr Fry (a stranger to Fox ton) seconded the resolution. Mr R. Hynes proposed, and M. Wynd seconded, an amendment “that Dr. Hatherley be accorded a hearty vote of thanks and that this meeting endorses his views of true temperance.” (Applause). The amendment was put and a show of hands called lor which was declared lost. The resolution was then put and amidst much “ barracking ” this was also declared lost. A large numb ir present abstained from voting either way and the issues were very confusing. The Chairman thanked the audience for the excellent hearing accorded the speaker, and also congratulated Dr. Hatherley. lu acknowledging the confused issues, Dr. Hatherley said that he hoped, no matter what side they took, that there wou'd be no bitterness and that they would all work together—(a voice: “to carry No-License ’’—(Uproar) for the common good. (Applause).

A vote of thanks to the chair terminated au orderly meeting.