ADDRESS BY MR. P. SNOWDEN. M.P.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1316, 27 October 1914, Page 3

ADDRESS BY MR. P. SNOWDEN. M.P.

Mr Philip Snowden, a member of the British House of Commons, who is lecturing under the auspices of the New Zealand Alliance, delivered an address in tbe Coronation Hall last night. The Mayor (Mr G. H. Stiles) presided and there was a good attendance. In introducing the speaker the chairman took the opportunity on behalf ot the citizens of Foxton of welcoming him to the town. Mr Snowden had, he said, been a member of the British House of Commons in the Labour interest for upwards of 20 years, which was proof of- the high esteem in which he was held in the Old Land. Mr Snowd.en on rising to speak was greeted with hearty applause. Pie thanked the Mayor for his kindly remarks and the audience tor the hearty welcome accorded him. The question he was to speak on was that of No-License and National Prohibition. As the Mayor had said he was a representative in the Labour interest in the British Parliament, and as such he was interested in the welfare of the masses of the people and consequently he was interested in the temperance question, as he was convinced that the liquor traffic stood in the way of the progress of the people. The abolition of the liqubr traffic would render the work of social reform infinitely more easy than at present. Mr Snowden referred to the tremendous influence and power of the liquor trade in the Old Country. At every election the organised force of the traffic was used to return men who could be depended upon to safeguard the Interests of the “Trade,” and after the election of 1900 it made a boast that it had returned a majority whose chief plank of poHcy was to look after the interests of “the trade” first and foremost. The liquor licenses at that time were from year to year, but the party then returned to power passed an amending licensing bill making the licenses permanent and tbe holders subject to compensation should they at any time be cancelled. The Government at present in office six years ago passed a licensing bill, which was hailed as the greatest measure of temperance reform yet introduced into Parliament, the main provision of which was the giving to the people the power of local veto after the expiry of 21 years and then only on a two-chirds majority. Mr Snowden said his reason for pointing out the position in England to-day was to show the people of New Zealand how great the hold of the liquor traffic was there, and to warn them of the necessity of dealing with the traffic in New Zealand before its roots get too firmly set. If matters were allowed to continue the political influence of “the trade” would grow until instead ot the people controlling the traffic, the traffic would control both the politics and government. There were many reasons why the people should vole for No-License and National Prohibition. Drink was responsible for the greater crimes, such as assault upon the person, robbery with violence and murder. In New Zealand the statistics showed that tbe liquor traffic was responsible for a great amount ot crime. It was also responsible for physical and mental degeneration, and also did its share towards lunacy. A committee in England had inquired into the causes of physical degeneration. They found that it was a fact that physical degeneration did exist and that indulgence in liquor was one of the causes. Liquor was responsible for reducing man’s physical talents. Liquor reduced the efficiency of the worker and also reduced his earning power. It also aggravated the condition of poverty and disease, rendering those who indulged in it less able to resist disease. It was undermining the physical stamina of the race. Having established these facts it was only right to assert that the traffic had no longer a right to exist. Mr Snowden quoted figures showing the convictions for drunkenness in New Zealand and Great Britain. In this country last year 11,000 convictions were recorded. There were at present in existence societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. That societies of this nature were necessary was a reflection on our civilisation. The society in England brought before the court two million cases of cruelty to children and it had been proved that in 96 per cent, of the cases drink was the cause of the cruelty. New Zealand’s annual drink bill was ,£4,000,000, or roughly ,£4 per head. This was a great economic waste. If this amount of money was diverted to other channels it would stimulate industry and add to the prosperity of the country. Mr Snowden dealt with the stock argument used by trade advocates that prohibition would “interfere with the liberty of the subject.” Last year in New Zealand 11,000 men were convicted for taking drink. What did they find ? The law laid it down that a man could drink to a certain point and when he stepped over that point the law stepped in and said, “You have reached the limit of individual liberty.” Drink was injurious for a man to take and tbe opportunity to get drink was an encouragement to those who could not resist drink. The speaker then went on to relate how shops were restricted in the hours they were to close and keep open, and in that restriction they had liberty through infringement of their liberty such as the enjoyment of shorter hours, halt holidays, etc. Some years ago'a Bill was introduced that every maa should be a member of a Friendly Society. It was the law of the land and there was practically no opposition to the Act. This was

surely an infringement of liberty. Theyfdid not even have the opportunity ot paying, as the con; tributious were taken out of their ■wages. The same argument was used against all reforms, but, Mr Snowden said, society is only held together by laws restraining individuals from doing as they like. In conclusion Mr Snowden appealed to the people of New Zealand to give this great question grave consideration and to use their votes in the interests of the welfare of the people as a whole. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speaker on the motion of the Rev. W. Raine, and a vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.