THE TEMPERANCE LEAGUE AND Mr. HAMER.

New Zealander, Volume 10, Issue 888, 18 October 1854, Page 3

THE TEMPERANCE LEAGUE AND Mr. HAMER.

To the Editor of the New Zkalandeu. Sin, —Will you oblige me by inserting the following in reply to the Rev. Mr. Mainer’s letter in last Friday’s Southern Cross. In that journal I met with a letter addressed to the Editor from the Rev. Mr. Hamer, regarding the Temperance League, in which he strongly inveighs against the principles of the League ns it now stands, and proposes one of his own concocting in its stead, stating that such was not the original intention of the League, but simply to put down all the public-houses, allowing, as heretofore, all merchants and auctioneers to sell intoxicating drinks from two gallons and upwards. I am indeed sorry, Mr. Editor, that such an objection should have been raised by such a person as Mr. Hamer, and I hardly know whether the good cause now in hand or Air. Hamer himself will receive the greater injury ; both, however, must suffer. He (Air. Hamer) speaks of the infringement of our liberty ns Englishmen— l am one —and would guard our liberties with the most jealous and watchful care. But is it, I would ask, derogatory to our liberty to free the poor wretched bond slave from his fetters, and put the poisoned cup beyond his reach —to furnish food and clothing to his famishing and squalid family—to make the deeply wounded spirit of his wife (or it may he husband) whole, who before sunk into almost hopeless despondency, hut now made happy. Is this, I would again ask, an infringement on our liberty'! As tccl might it be said of an intended suicide , when the weapon of destruction is wrested from his grasp , that he was not allowed the liberty due to an Englishman ! ! But 1 can prove to Air. Hamer, in one instance, that his own plan, which he seems to cherish as his own child,would prove a perfect failure-in fact, more mischievous than the present [public-house system ; there would, in fact, be no obstacle in the way of the working classes obtaining at any time their two or more gallons, having it at their own homes, which would doubtless, in the end, prove ruinous to many, injurious to all—s. m2 drinking themselves to death—others drinking while it lasted, and hankering after more, which, it not obtainable, leaves the poor suffering drinker in so enervated a state as to render him unfit for ordinary libour for perhaps a week, or it may be a month; but alas how mmy are there already ruined for life. I will now mention the instance already referred to above. A hard working man happened to call at my house the other day, a few days after the first meeting of the League. “Were

you at the Temperance Meeting the other night’’ I asked. “ No, sir, I was not.” “ There were a great many there—the place was crowded,” I said. “Ah. Well, sir, I will nevei* sign that.” “ Why not ’—what are your objections *” “Why, sir, it will bo the death of many a man if that lawpasses.” “ How so ’” said I, in surprise. “ Why I am told they are going to put down the public-houses and let the merchants sell it out by the two gallons, and when the men who have been hard at work in the bush for weeks come to town and get their two gallons, they will drink till they kill themselves. There was Tom (I have forgotten the name) came in from the hush ; he took a glass or two : the next day ho went and bought a couple of gallons at the store, and drank so much, that he dropped down dead at the lodging house door, and it would be the same with a great many more if that law passes, to allow the merchant to sell it by the two gallons.” This, Mr. Editor, is nearly word for word as it was told to me. But I replied, “ The merchant will not be allowed to import any more intoxicating drinks —private individuals may import it for their own use, but not for sale.” “ Oil,” said he, “if that be the case, I shall bo very willing to sign it.” Now, Mr. Editor, such was my impression at first meeting of the League, although Mr. Burner would make us believe otherwise. Mr, Wakefield, in giving his description (from personal knowledge) of the Temperance Laws in the State of Maine, said at the first meeting—- “ You can import, hut you cannot sell—you can brew your own beer, but not to sell it.” &c. Now what can be more clear than that the sale of spirits. &c,, should bo entirely abolished. If, therefore, Mr. Hamer or any other gentleman wish to enjoy their “ glass ,” why they can import. Sorry should I be to lay such a stumbling block in the way of the industrious classes as Mr. Hamer has done in his letter. I should expect to have the curse of many a father, of many a mother, of many a family. I hope, however, Mr. 11. will pause ere he proceeds any father in the way he has proposed. A blessing was pronounced on the sons of Jonadab because they drank no wine. Apologising for the length of this letter, I am, &c., A Friend to the Temperance League. October 15. To the Editor of the New Zealander. Sir, — I do not object to a man making the most of his Pound , hut still, simply as a matter of inquiry, I should like to know whether the expense of walls or fences of public property, such as slaughter-houses, pounds, or other such establishments, which divide the same from the property of private individuals, should not be jointly borne by the two parties—the Wardens on behalf of the Hundred., and the individual whose property is benefitted by it. 1 am, Sir, Your obedient servant, Enquirer. Newmarket, Oct. 12.