The Southland Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1870.

Southland Times, Issue 1233, 5 April 1870, Page 2

The Southland Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 1870.

Whatetee difference of opinion may exist as to the propriety or lawfulness of the use of alcoholic" stimulants, it is certain that none can exist as to the evil resulting to the Colony from intemperance in their use. The duty of all really concerned for the public weal to discountenance as much as possible the drinking customs of the community will also be conceded. The monetary aspect of the question, although in itself a matter of considerable magnitude, is oft comparatively small importance. For the sake, however, of the considerations arising out of the facts, and their effect on the social position of the colonists, it is desirable to refer to the published statistics of New Zealand aa to the consumption of spirituous liquors. Prom these it appears that during the quarter ending 31st December last, duty was paid on 275,898 gallons of alcoholic liquors, the amount of duty being £97,419. These figures being taken as the basis of a calculation for one year, give an annual consumption to each head of the European population of somewhere about 4 gallons, and an individual contribution to the revenue, from this source, of £1 14s. The probability is, however, that such an estimate is over the mark, some considerable portion p,f the liquor sold having been without doubt consumed by the Maori population. Contrasting the New Zealand returns for 1868 with those of Great Britain for the same period, the result appears that, while the consumption of spirits in the old country was under one. gallon per head of the population, in New Zealand it exceeded two and a-half gallons per, head of Europeans. Facts of this kind give rise to very important questions, and the general connection between intemperance and crime has not now to be debated. It is readily admitted that Total Abstinence Societies have done a great deal of good in their way, but there is so grave a defect, either in their organisation or management, as to render it certain that a great deal of power and influence which might be arrayed on the side of temperance is altogether lost. The oratory by, which, total abstinence is, ordinarily supported, is in the main of too sweeping and declamatory a character. Thoughtful men, disposed to earnest working, and full of benevolent purpose for the removal of evil admitted to exist, and deplored, feel that they cannot enlist under a banner, the adherents of which systematically stigmatise as useless, disreputable, and vile, all who do not run in their precise groove, or go to the same length with themselves Common sense teaches us that it is not only unfair but absurd to decry as abettors of intemperance the hundreds and thousands of respectable citizens who do not see it their duty to carry out the principle of total abstinence. Probably this intemperance in the advocacy of " temperance," or abstinence, has operated more than any other cause to weaken for the time, and to retard, the cause of true temperance. "What is needed at the present is the association of individuals, who, while they may believe in the use of alcoholic beverages, are determined to do all in their power to discountenance the drinking customs of the community. Certain custorrs exist which undoubtedly foster and encourage the vice of drunkenness. These customs exercise a species of moral tyranny over various classes of society, and the banding together of men whose clearly-de-fined object should be, "to let their moderation be known unto all men," would not be without its weight of influence, speedily felt, in the deliverance of hundreds and thousands groaning under the pressure of the tyranny, yet wanting moral power to deliver themselves. Such power a," temperance" association would supply. The customs of "shouting;" systematically transacting business at : hotels ; nobblerising on meeting, without reference to necessity, or otherwise, are 1 customs which multitudes have weighty reasons, pecuniary, physical, and moral, to deplore, and which it is in the power of intelligent men, sensible of. the evil, by association, materially to diminish. Perhaps the most important question in connection with the subject is that of the licensing system. As at present existing it is virtually a system of free trade. Refusals of license in the case of any able and willing to pay the fee, are few . and far between ; and hence it occurs that many persons obtain licenses who are morally unfit to hold them. Even under the present general system of granting licenses to all comers, many unlicensed dens exist, and are long carried on without detection, becoming fruitful sources of debauchery and crime. It may be argued that the principle of licensing being recognised, the fee fixed, and the conditions of retention laid down, applicants are entitled to demand licenses with the liability to punishment and forfeiture in case of breach of the conditions. Experience has, however, proved that the temptations to unprincipled persons holding licenses are so great, that, notwithstanding the vigilant surveillance of the police, breaches of the Licensing Act are of frequent occurrence, resulting in much that is both disgusting and demoralising. On the principle of "prevention better than cure," a reform in the licensing system is absolutely necessary. Whether the principle of the Permissive Bill — giving power to the majority of inhabitants in a certain district to regulate, the number of public houses in such district— is sound or not, may, be matter for debate. There is not, however, much reason to fear that tbp action of a large majority will be hurtful to the true interests" of n the community. A movement for the creation of a Temperance Society upon a large and liberal basis has been made in the province of Canterbury, which has obtained the countenance and support of fjhe highest and

most influential members of society there. As a result of this movement, a committee appointed to consider the subject has made its report at a meeting presided over by his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, at which the Primate of New Zealand, his Honor Mr Justice G-bessoit, the Dean of Christchurch, his Honor the Superintendent, and the clergy of the various religious bodies of the province, were present, and took part in the proceedings. The committee — assuming the temperate use of liquors to be allowable — suggested alterations in the licensing system, and affirmed the right of the majority to decide on the existence and creation of public houses, a society being .ultimately formed with the following ob-j.ects:-r- (Ist), Toobtain amendments in the laws regulating the liquor traffic. (2nd), To promote strict moderation in the use of alcoholic drinks in private life. (3rd), To discountenance all customs which tend to foster habits of useless and excessive drinking, such as the custom of " shouting," of drinking at sales, of conducting bargains in public houses, of drinking and inviting friends to drink at unseasonable hours. (4th), To promote the cause of temperance by counteracting influences, as by the extension of education, the establishment and support of public libraries and institutes, and the setting forward of recreations and amusements of a wholesome character. It is greatly to be desired that a society should be established in this province .similar to that started in Canterbury. "Wp heartily endorse the remarks of a speaker at the meeting referred to, believing it to be the principle "most consistent with reason and religion," and " that it would be treason to human nature, and to our Creator, to despair of succeeding in an undertaking which is based on this principle."