MASTERTON UNDER NO-LICENSE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1048, 26 September 1911, Page 3

MASTERTON UNDER NO-LICENSE.

ADDRESS BY MR. JAS,

McGREGOR

At the invitation of the Manawatu No-License Council Mr Jas. McGregor, of Masterton, delivered a stirring address in the Masonic Hall last night, on the effects of No-License in the Masterton electorate. There was a good and appreciative audience present, and Mr Hornblow occupied the chair and briefly introduced the speaker. He stated that Mr McGregor was not a paid lecturer, but placed his services at the disposal of the public without fee or reward for the good of the reform movement. Anyone acquainted with Masterton knew the name of McGregor —for the speaker was one of the pioneers of the Masterton district, and held in the very highest esteem.

Mr McGregor, who was received amidst applause, ingratiated himself with the audience by a humorous opening. He referred to the iniquitous threefifths majority required to settle the liquor question, but. despite this handicap twelve electorates managed to carry No-License at the last polls, and Masterton was included among them. He dealt with crime, business and morals in Masterton since the carrying of No-License, and convincingly proved that No-License under these headings had been a great success. In the six months ended June 30th, 190 S, under License there were 119 sittings of the Magistrate’s Court for criminal business, and for the six months ended June 30th, 1911, there were only 39, a reduction ot 80 sittings in six mouths. The total criminal convictions recorded in Masterton for the last year under License were 397 ; the first year under No-License, 1910, 56, and the second year under No-License 49. (Applause). Drunkenness had diminished from 287 convictions in 1909 to 36 in 1911, and 26 cases of the latter were persons arrested who were drunk when they aniwu m the town. Pie quoted the Chief Justice’s (Sir Robert Stout’s) splendid testimonial to Mastertou’s splendid record and the prosperity ot the people. Tradesmen were satisfied, and an overwhelming majority were in favour of No-License. Seventy-two business people out of eighty-nine said No-License had a good effect on business; four said it had a bad effect, and thirteen were indefinite. On the moral tone of the town, 84 said No-License had a good effect, three said a bad effect, and two were indefinite, and seventy said it would not be in the best interests of the town to have licenses restored ; seven said “yes," and twelve were indefinite. Touching bankruptcies, the speaker said he had read a misleading statement in one of the Palmerston papers in reference to this matter. The facts were that during the year ended December 31st, 190 S, (under License) there were 25 bankruptcies with liabilities amounting to ,£14,325 7s fid ; during 1909 (half License, hall No-License) there were 27 with £11,669 *3 S iod liability ; and in 19x0 (under No-License) there were 24 with total liabilities ,£9,921 os rod. In order to obtain from the foregoing figures a fair indication of the effect of NoLicense on trade, he said it was necessary to state that the Masterton Court is the only one in the Wairarapa where bankruptcies may be filed, so that many of the insolvencies came from districts outside the Masterton Electorate. He gave separate tables showing the bankruptcies filed which apply to Masterton Electorate under NoLicense and those filed within the Court district but outside of the No-License area. Bankruptcies filed in Masterton from within Masterton electorate : 190 S (under License), 19, liabilities £8,755 is 7d : 1909 (half License, halt NoLicense), 13, ,£4,953 lSs : 1910 (under No-License), 11, £3,973 19s 2d. From outside No-License area for the same periods: 6, liabilities ,£5,570 5s nd; 14, ,£6,715 15s nd: 1 3. ,£5,948 is Bd. From these figures it would be seen that there had been a considerable decrease within the No-License electorate and a decided increase within those districts still under License. He said during the half-year ended June 30th, 1909, sixteen bankruptcies were filed as against 13 for the first half-year of 1910, and 12 for the corresponding half of this year(i9ii). At a public meeting of Carterton business people he said the following resolutions had been passed ; “ That this meeting desires to thank the Masterton tradespeople for replies to our questions ; is satisfied that No-License has improved business and the moraltone ot that town, and commends their verdict to the serious con sideration of our own townspeople.” “ That the replies from Masterton be printed and forwarded to all business men throughout the South Wairarapa electorate.” He referred to the increase in the savings bank deposits in Masterton. He stated that the difference between the amount deposited and that withdrawn showed the actual amount saved in each year—viz, in 190 S ,£15,9 1 C in 1909 ,£14.324. aud iu *9 10 (under No-License) the people of Masterton saved ,£27,919, or 12,008, (over £IOOO per mouth) more than they saved during 1908 with six fine palatial liquor houses to help them (applause). All the local doctors had stated that there was less drinking in the homes of the people since the carrying of No-License, and they were unanimously in favour of the change.

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He dealt at length with many other phases of the question in a most convincing manner, and urged his hearers to tollow Maslerton’s example at the forthcoming poll, by striking out the lop line on both ballot papers. No questions were asked, aud ou the motion of Mr W. S. Stewart, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker, which was carried by acclamation. A similar compliment to the chairman! concluded a very interesting meeting. Mr McGregor speaks at Rougotea to-night and Bulls to-morrow night.