THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 456, 4 May 1909, Page 3

THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT.

ITS GROWTH IN SOUTH AFRICA. As an evidence of the growth of the temperance movement throughout the Empire, the following particulars forwarded to a local well-known citizen from a Bloemfontein (South Africa) resident, maybe of interest: —“The licensing question is causing a great deal of anxiety here just now ; at the end of the present month 34 houses have to close in Johannesburg alone. An appeal was made, but the High Court upheld the decision. Hotel proprietors are not making money in these days. In this town during the past few weeks three have found themselves in difficulties; one compromised with 5s in the £ on ,£17,000, and had the rent reduced from ,£250 to ,£75 a month ; the second paid 2s 6d in the £ on his rent being brought down from to ,£SO (the owners are only too glad to let them, even at these low rentals), whilst the third was put up for auction, buildings, etc., etc., and was bought in by the backers for ,£31,000 —three years ago this hotel cost ,£66,000 to put up!’’

The letter continues: —“The general prospects of S.A. are decidedly better, as we have had the finest rains this year that have fallen the last 50 years'; in some districts they have had too much, and a great deal of damage has been done, whilst in others where they have had none for two and hree years, a, good downpour has fallen, all the dams and rivers being full to overflowing. If the rains had come a little earlier the wheat harvest would have been saved, as it is, it is almost a failure. Anyway, the mealie (I think you call it maize) crop will be exceptionally heavy. If only locusts and sickness amongst cattle keep away the farmers have a very bright outlook, and when they are doing well it means better times for everyone, and we want it too.”