THE GREAT REFORM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1052, 5 October 1911, Page 4

THE GREAT REFORM.

[Published by Arrangement.]

The Labour Party Falls into Line.

A VOICE FROM THE SOUTH

There was a large attendance on the evening of March I2th, at the weekly meeting, conducted by the

DUNEDIN SOCIALISTS, at the Trades’ Hall. The speaker of the evening said that in New Zealand the workers and the Prohibition Party were coming closer together, and must of necessity do so. The platform of the Labour Party provided for bare majority on both Local and Dominion Prohibition. It could do no other thing, because that was a democratic law. Thus, the workers and the New Zealand No-License Party were in the same political box, and could naturally work together for the destruction of a great enemy of the happiness of the people. The second point emphasised was the immense profit made by the brewing trade, compared to the small amount of wages paid. The speaker produced figures from the New Zealand Year Book, which showed that for every £ of wages paid, the brewing trade made over £3 in profit, even at the wholesale values, as compared with the furniture trade, which made only 5 s 6d profit for each £1 of wages paid. At retail prices it was claimed that the workers spent about £2O in beer for every £1 received in wages, whereas, in many other of the principal trades, there was only a profit, even at retail rates, of £1 or less on each £l of wages paid. After a general!} favourable discussion of the address, a motion was carried, with but four or five dissentients, as follows: — “This meeting of Socialists and workers desire to affirm as their opinion, that their is no other trade so little deserving of support by the workers as is the liquor trade It gives the least share in wages of its immense profits of any trade; it gives the buyer the least value for his money, and it very often degrades the seller. Therefore, though we are aware that Prohibition does not touch the root, of the economic wrongs from which the workers now suffer, it will yet be of great_ advantage to all concerned, and it is likely to result in the next generation growing up without the alcoholic appetite, and without feeling that they have been deprived of anything. We are convinced that workers will do well to vote for prohibition, and get this question settled.”

Will the workers in other Districts consider the matter, and close up the ranks ?