NATIONAL PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 457, 14 March 1919, Page 1

NATIONAL PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN.

MEETING AT PUKEKOHE.

The Pnuaier Hall, Pukekohe, was well filled on Tuesday evening, when addresses were given by Mr J. A. Yo M P. for Waikato (representing the National Efficiency Leage), and Mr L. Faulkner (the New Zjahnd Alliance organiser for the Auckland province.) The Mayor (Mr H. G. R. Mason) occupied the chair, and briefly introduced the speakers. Mr Young announced that he had always taken a neutral attitude on the I'quo* questi )n, but the rojnrt pr-ioentod to Parliament by the National Efficiency Board had induced him to e'osely study the problem, and ho was now ful'y con vinced that the argument, from whatever paint of view In i's r.pi>li cation to tho Sta'f? and th 3 tnxiipr, came out every time in favour of National Prohibition. Although not a total ab3tainor, he considered that as a public mm he had a du'y to th" community, and that was to take a definite stand on the matter, and throw the weight of his influence and ability into the movement. In the Waikato they had established at Hamilton a strong branch of the National Efficiency League, under tne presidency of Dr Douglas (Superintendent ef tl% Waikato Hospital), with Messrs Joseph Barugh and C. L. McDiarmid as viqfc-presidonts, and Mr Wm Good fellow as secretary He (Mr Young) had offered his services to the League without fee or salary, and had been appointed to the position of honorary organiser. Mr Young traced the history of the Efficiency Board's investigations into the effect of the liquor trade, and its recommendation to Parliament, and referred to the subsequent passing of the Act providing for a referendum on the Board's proposal. He dealt with the questions of revenue and compensation, and stated that the savings effected in closing the liquor bars, together with the increased efficiency and production resulting from prohibition would fully provide for the amount to be paid in compensation, and more than cover any loss of revenue accruing from prohibition. Mr Faulkner described the growth of the prohibition movement in other countries, and called attention to the success attained in Canada and the United States. He stated that in Canada eight of the nine provinces were already " dry," while on May Ist the liquor bars would close do , n in the remaining province, and prohibition would be effective over the whole Dominion. In the United States it was found that ar amendment must be made to the before National Prohibition couß? be introduced This amendment had been submitted to the State Legislatures, and, though all had not yet voted, 36 of the 48 Btates had ratified the amendment, thus insuring that prohibition would operate over the whole of the United Btates from July Ist of this year. Mr Faulkner further dealt with the matter of compensation, and stated that while the saving effected on liquor expenditure would amount to about £5 per head annually, the cost of compensation would be less than 08 per head, which amount would be received by the Government without the imposition of a single item of extra taxation. No qaeetions were forthcoming, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman, proposed by Mr E. Allan, of Buckland.