NO-LICENSE IN INVERCARGILL

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 14 November 1908, Page 3

NO-LICENSE IN INVERCARGILL

Interesting Particulars. Judge for Yourselves. It was recently reported that Mr Thompson, the Eiquor advocate, had stirred up the No-Eicense fervour in Invercargill and had got one hundred BUSINESS MEN to sign a manifesto agaiust NoEicense, which the Eiquor Party distributed per post to electors throughout this district on Thursday night. A telegram was sent to one of the leading business men in Invercargill, asking for particulars, and the fallowing reply came to hand: — Manifesto extremely misleading. Posting particulars. The following letter, which has since been received, speaks for itself : Invercargill, Nov. 4th, 1908. As my reply to your telegram of to-day’s date would have made a lengthy wire, I thought I would re£ ply in writing to your queries re Eiquor manifesto. With regard to the signatories, selected names were used for the Press Association message. I will particularise a few of them, and you can judge for yourself what weight and value they have. N. J. M. Rein is a jeweller, and some time ago doubled the size of his premises and largely increased his stock. His wife owns hotel property. D. Roche, wine and spirit merchant, with a wholesale license in Wiuton. J. Kingsland has relatives in the liquor trade. R. Cleave, maker of cider. D. McFarlane, many years hdtelkeeper at Orepuki. G. I. Moffett, chemist, his father has wholesale wine and spirit license at Bluff. Geo. Couling, nurserymau ; father used to own hotel license. H. E. Cotteral, late licensee of Mossburu Hotel —was convicted and fined for permitting drunkenness on his premises.

The other names enumerated in Press Association message are all biased, as they have consistently opposed the No-Ticense movement. The other eighty names or so, consists of a few people who are in a small way of business, but the major portion of the above number are clerks and assistants or workers of one kind or another, who are not to be compared for a moment with the hundred leading citizens and professional men who signed our No-Ijceuse manifesto, issued some little time ago. With regard to the Police Court figures, 1 have experienced some difficulty in getting complete returns, but 1 find that convictions for drunkenness have declined by fifty-nine, prohibition orders by eighteen, indecent language by five.

For the twelve months ending June last there were only eightythree cases of drunkenness, of which eighty-one obtained their liquor in the adjoining license electorates, whereas two only obtained their liquor in Invercargill.

A large number of offences in Invercargill arises from breaches of the borough by-laws, such as cattle wandering, cyclists riding without lights, motor cars running beyond restricted speed and several other more trifling offences. As the town is growing more populous the Inspector of Nuisances and police are getting much more strict in their desire to suppress these offences for the comfort and well-being of the citizens. I may mention there were a number of offences under the heading of “ Breaking and entering” and thefts, etc,, but they were nearly all juvenile offenders, and a whole number of convictions, numbering over twenty, were against five naughty boys, who were a nuisance lo the community, and were finally sent lo the Industiial School, by the order of the Magistrate.

You can make what use you like of the contents of this letter. Trusting you will win No-License, I remain, yours in the fight. (Signed) J. S. BAXTER.