PUBLIC MEETING ON THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION.

Southland Times, Issue 1266, 17 June 1870, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING ON THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION.

A public meeting of the inbabirantif V-: of luvercargill, of which aMpjle; notice / was given, took place in the lEichangeyy Hall, YDae-street, , on the evening of^ , Tuesday, 14-th inst., for thfe purpose jot A : f discussing sundry projects for abjitjußgy,.-/ and restraining the evil of. drunkenness^ " For some time a dumber of citizens had been agitating the question, and maturing plans to enlist public opinion in-favor of restrictive measures. A cocnmjttee. of gentlemen had been formed tofratne'a series of resolutions with that ofbject/atKT the meeting was held under their" auspices, and for the purpose -o getting* the views they advocated endorsed by tjia people. The night, unfortuua-^y, was the reverse of favorable, beingxisofcwet, stormy, and cold, that it -required the. exercise of some courage, and no small self-denial, to enable; ; one ta leave the fireside and 7 face,;, the inclement elements. Shortly alter the hour named, half-past seven; the hall was respectably filled—^there were about 200 persons— by ah audience fairly irepresenting all classes of the community, r not omitting the spirit trade, and com prising as well a few females, whose presence was 1 rather a novelty at a public meetings Ott the platform were, ;the members ofthe comriaittee and, friends, including the Eevds. Stobo, Rish worthy Tanner, Alexander, and Bethune; Messrs^ M* Macdonald, Wm. Eussell, Jas>< Wilson (Provincial Treasurer); ' Wm. : Eussell (Ryal Busb), Porter, Watspn, -.Burns, Bonthron, Crouch, aud others. ;On the motion of Mr Stobo, Mr T.s M: M_odonald was voted to the chair; * *- * ■ - The chairman, in opening the ceedings, gave a succinct statement of the preliminary steps taken, of the object in view, and of the considerations which had urged himself and those associated with him to stir in the matter. ' /He alluded to the gigantic evils connected with intemperance in drinking— -evils- which were visible to iall chose to look "around— to the necessity for some steps being taken to mitigate those evils, and'to the fact that the subject was now attracting a large share of public, attention ih the mother country , and throughout the colonies. He said a aeries of resolutions would be proposed and spoken to by gentlemen appointed by the committee,' but it was not intended to confine the proceedings to that order; any person who wished to address theJMidiencp would be at liberty to do so. . oThefyihad not met. to advocate' any extreme views, but simply to devise the best steps which, could be tsken to; check the growing evils admitted . He concluded by calling upon the Eev. Mr Tanner .to mote the first resolution. ; ' ; .^7.1 <Y Mr .. Tanner, . who was received 1 with cheers, then read the following' resolution, viz ;— ""That: this Meeting is7 Jof opinion that steps should be : taken in order that the present'Licensing Ordinance : should b_ — moror strmfgentlv enforced, more especially clauses 6, 17, 20, 32, 33, 34, 37, 46; 49, 51, 52, and 53, -and that a special officer should be appointed as detective for the purpose," He said7every_one muajb have observed with pleasure that the question of the suppression of intemperance was gaining attention in the other provinces/. Canterbury having taken the lead, and he' bb^ed Ihvercargill wbhld riot be behind in showing j a good example. Men generally were not good spontaneously. It required some incentive, some kind of encouragement, to make them so. He thought gentle means the best, preferring; leading the people op., from bad to good, and from good to better, rather than coercibni He did hot think Tdve'rcargill by any means open to the r charge of being a drunken place; compeared with other place's;, it would appear .'singularly free from , gross vice of. that kind, but still there was room fdr improvement. Drinking. was too much regarded as an amiable failing, as not jrery heinous, and this leniency- had a bad effect, j J&en ga~e way more readily to tlie temptation when they knew* their sin was not regarded as so very shameful after all,. Public feeling .required to, be trained to regard the evil with greater abhorrence. Ancy •did not expect- to effect a.-(nii» r a_C7at once, and would be well satisfied if it was accomplished littleby Kttle. _He trusted even those engaged in the traffic would bet found in future* takingr an active interest in freeing the trade from many of its objectionable features. He thought they might do this by associating to prevent unscrupulous persons from bringing; disgrace and odium upon it bjr their nefarious practices in the way of adulterations, allurements, and~otherdishonest practices. Associations of nature to that hinted at, existed for tne detection of ad -Iteration of food, : to protect the honest dealer ; for the prevention of cruelty to animals, ahd many other purposes which were restrictive, but jast, because for the general good. He might say something for the moderate^ drinker. He believed that temperate men looked upon the, crime of excessive drunkenness with' just as inuch indignation aa teetotallers did, and saw nothing .incompatible in. the two. ;It was quite possible for a man to regard the moderate use of liquors as being just as innocent and necessary as the moderate .. use^ of , anything else, and to feel quite as thankful for"thein as~gdod~gifts of ~<3*od: The~eril was one 1 which would not:.beloiired|'by mere enactment. That would require- tobe backed up by moral sympathy and good example. * Still, as men were to ft great extent like children, requiring more or less of restraint, to keep theni right, it was evident r there^jnust«be«j_l__LJpnie amount of coercion; sometimes they even required a little punishment. YHeJbteliev.ed the strict enforcement of the. Ordinance now in partial operation, especially »with regard, to the clauses mentioneji^would tend to raise the character 7p£,sN> v tp£d*»» and he had heard some of those, ',*ennged therein express their wish that-it-sh<mtd be stringehtly carried oiit. 'Befeur-Wgto the moral aspect of the the

■chief way of getting rid of the evil was for each man to restrain himself. When ./&-man won't too far, took too much, he .became not, only contemptible in the eyes of himself and his fellows, but a curse to the town in which he dwelt. It might be that alcoholic drinks acted as fobd for both body and intellect,; but if so -they were very powerful, and should be Used sparinglv. With regard to the habit Of * shouting," he thought there were many excuses for it in the colonies, where so many men were without a settled home. It was an amiable way of showing friendship to an acquaintance accidentally met, a sort of way of showing hospitality where home was not accessible, but when it was seen that Buch excessive evils flow from it, he hoped it would be considered no great hardship to give it up, or at least tb indulge ih it less. The rev. gentleman 7 was repeatedly cheered ■during his speech. Mr Porter then came forward and shortly seconded the resolution. He thought it so simple and so just that, all would agree to it without the necessity of: much argument being used. For Mmself, he held that no man had a right to get drunk, as he thereby became a nuisance to the public. When a man puts himself in that position it was then the duty of the public to look after themselves. They had to take care of him, and they should also take care that some restraint was put upon him for the future. All the resolution asked was the enforcement of the law as it stood, and no reasonable man could object to that. The Chairman then read over the resolution, and invited further discussion upon it. A voice from the body of the hall suggested that the whole Ordinance ahould be read, but was put down by a few vigorous noes. The Chairman again offered to read the Ordinance, but the audience unmistakably declined to have it. He then put the resolution to the meeting, when it was carried, one ■dissentient hand only being held up. The Bev. Mr Stobo, whose appearance was greeted with enthusiastic applause, then proposed the second resolution as ' follows : — " Thatthis meeting is of opinion that the principle of the Permissive Bill, •conferring* the power of regulating licenses , upon two-thirds of the ratepayers and householders, should be adopted for this colony." He drew to the fact that the resolution .had been slightly altered since first submitted to the General ,Committee, so as ."to give it a colonial, instead, of a merely provincial, aspect. All were aware that intemperance was a great-evil, whether ■ 'viewed with regard to the body or the soul, the material, or the moral and .spiritual, prosperity of .a community... -So palpable indeed were .the evils -flowing from it, that he did not think it necessary to point them out. But while this was •grarfted, it might be asked, "Are there not •other evils ?" " Tes." " Then why not • form associations to suppress them ?" " Quite right •;" but none were so flaunting as this, and one thing at a time was enough. Let this great iniquity be •checked, rooted ■' out, then it would be time enough to turn to. others. The •question _now to be -considered was, what "Were the best mean3 to furfcher the end in view? The evil was plainly a moral one, jand therefore moral means mustbe chiefly •employed. TThe preaching of the gospel, "exhortations, example, and such agencies were the .primary weapons with which to •combat % but the -question "arose, did the .use. of gospel and other moral agencies prohibit the tase of any other means whic_t r might be available? He held it o_id not, "and might illustrate his position by reference to the authority exercised by a father ia his own family. His rule was eminently moral in its character, and yet when occasion required, the wise father did riot; scrapie to exercise his legal .unction iri applying the rod ; apply this to the feurger social ikmily — the community. Members of society had rights and duties devolving -upon them with .regard to the other members which they could riot shirk. Take the tsase ofthe ;• poor man lying drunk on the roadside. What was a Christian man's duty in that •case? To pass by on the other side? Certainly not ; still less was it to "pour In oil and wine," of the latter of which he had had too much already, neither was it> in these days, to " leave him at an inn," but to call the police, get the man upon a barrow, and away to the watchhouse ; there was more than moral means recognised in that procedure, and none Would say it was wrong. Further, the man would be, punished, and he (Mr &.) would also have the man who supplied the other to the point of intoxication punished. (Cheers.) All this was covered and justified by the gospel. Indeed, the Whole system of government in Christian countries was of necessity founded upon .the teachings of Scripture, and all recognised the justice and necessity of wielding the sword of the magistrate, as well as using those means which were purely moral With regard to the charge of imposing restrictions, we had them already, there was* not free trade in the article; the necessity for supervision and limit was already admitted,* arid acted upon to some extent, and they only sought to have existing lato faithfully and fairly administered. *■: As far as he could see, one alternative only presented itself in dealing with this question ; they must either have free trade or the Permissive Bill. If checks were to be interposed at all, they *-_aust:be effective. He could admit the difficulty of obtaining an effective check, and saw no way for it without appealing to the people who paid the rates, and . placing the power in their hands. The ' idea of free trade in the liquor traffic Was 7 rib^' gaming ground at home, where v e±p_riehce showed that the more the w^s extended, the more the poor rates :, in the neighborhood increased. Increased trade just meant increased There were some forty parishes in Scotland in the happy position of not having a public house within their bounds, and these parishes compared imoit favorably, in the matter of poor

— 1 —^ _— — «— I — -— ~i rates, with adjoining parishes where the trade was permitted. These facts, which were borne out by similar statistics from other places, showed that it would not be Safe to put the trade on a free trade basis, anl thus they were driven back upon the alternative of the Permissive Bill. He believed the people at home would shortly do something important in thi_ matter, something comprehensive and yet liberal, consistent with the principles and spirit of the age, and he believed it would include the giving to the people the power of regulating the trade, a power which was legitimately theirs, and which would be quite safe in their keeping. The Bill in itself was, after all, nothing alarming ; it was not like entire suppression, a measure which he was not prepared to advocate. Some regulations put the onus of taking the initiative upon the person applying for the license by making him first obtain the consent of two-thirds of the householders in the district where he wished to begin business. In some places this might amount to a total prohibition, but was not likely to occur. He thought that if it was considered that the respectable householders were the class on whom fell most of the burdens of society, it would at once be admitted that they had a right to be heard on this matter, and to object to the continued existence in their midst of houses which were positive nuisances. He would put it this way.- A small minority should not be allowed to trample upon a large majority. If so, where were our boasted free institutions ? And if two-thirds of. the population were debarred from ridding themselves of a burden and an annoyance for the sake of the other third, what was it but a minority ruling a majority. (Loud cheers.) He was persuaded respectable hotelkeepers did hot fear the Bill. Some had expressed doubts as to the practicability of the Permissive Bill, amongst others, John Bright, a man whose . ; opinion was entitled to all respect; but he thought other members of Mr Gladstone's cabinet would be found holding a different view, and he (Mr S.) would take the liberty of differing with Mr Bright. He believed that with the system carefully arranged as to details there would be no difficulty in carrying it out. Admitting its practicability, some might ask in what the advantage would consist ? One im** mediate good result would be the suppression of some -houses which society universally condemns. Eespectable hotelkeepers would see their trade vindicated, and relieved of much of the stigma at present attaching to it. He had hear& some of them say they were ashamed of their trade. He held that if a Christian man could drink spirits without detriment to his Christianity, a Christian man could sell them without detriment to his.* But when the drinker gets drunk, he would condemn his Christianity as spurious, and so would he condemn that of the man who filled him drunk. He was a teetotaller himself, but he was not there on that ground, but on a broader ground, meeting his fellow-citizens_jQii—the—wide-platform df consideration for the public weal. (Cheers.) Some might say that giving the power of regulating licenses to two-thirds might in some cases amount ito suppression ; that was, when two-thirds of the residents in a locality became teetotallers. It was a possibility, but a thing not much to be feared, at least for: a long time, in New Zealand. The pre-; sent time he considered most opportune: for agitating the question. It was being discussed all over the country, and they had the advantage of a friend at the head of the Government. This was the tide, which, taken at the top, might lead them on to success. (Applause.) Mr Watson briefly seconded the resolution, and, no one else showing a desire to speak, it was put and carried unanimously. , Mr Eussell, solicitor, moved the third resolution — " That this meeting is of opinion that the present Licensing Ordinance should be amended to the following effect, viz., in clause 11, * that no liquor be sold after 10 o'clock, p.m. ;' in clause 16, that the following words be added in line three, after the word ' license,' 'or has been convicted of any breach of this Ordinance ;' in clause 46, ' that any constable have power at all times to enter any house licensed under this Ordinance,' and that a clause be added to the effect that any person three times convicted of drunkenness, be reckoned 4 habit and repute,' and any holder of a license under this Ordinance supplying him with liquor, be liable to a penalty." He believed the proposed amendments would have the support of both hotelkeepers and others. No arguments, he felt, were required in support of their propositions. The evils of intemperance were everywhere prevalent, but specially so in so-called Christian countries. He thought the formation of. a society on the basis proposed, a step in the right direction, as it gave force and aim to the efforts of those who could not see theii way to join the ranks of total abstainers, but who might be equally anxious to assist in suppressing the great evil. He anticipated objection to the hour named for closing, 10 o'clock; and admitted that occasionally it might interfere with the legitimate requirements of the public, but provision could be made for exceptional cases, and, generally speaking, it was a late enough hour. .He felt sure ' respectable hotelkeepers would not object to the clauses providing for supervision and fines for infringement. Mr Crouchj.ih a few humorous remarks, seconded the resolution. Mr Burns also spoke to it at some length, and strongly, after which it was put and carried unanimously. Mr Eishworth next came forward anc i moved the fourth resolution^ viz. :~" Thai 1 a committee he appointed to carry oul the objects of the foregoing resolutions.' He was sure all were convinced, fron what had been said) of the necessity o1 some steps being taken to abate th< , nuisance of drunkenness. People coulc i not always come to the same verdict oi \ points submitted to them, but in the pre

sent case he thought all might unite. He theu gave some affecting illustrations of the brutalising effects of drunkenness, and went on to show that God intended we should feel our dependent condition ; thafc all were brethren, and therefore ought; to help eaeh other, and promote each other's welfare and happiness. He would not deal in wholesale denunciations of public houses. He had found some of them admirably conducted, where the legitimate business of supplying the wants of the traveller was properly attended to, without his being enticed to drink. But he thought if these houses were to exist at all, they -hould be made thoroughly - respectable, so that no man need be ashamed of connection with them, whereas numbers of them were mere grog-shops, that ought to be suppressed. The steps they proposed to take would inflict no hardship upon the deserving, but would rather remove the odium from the trade at present resting upon it, through ther? beino- so much and so many connected * with° it not very respectable. With regard to the Permissive Bill he feared that if introduced it would give rise to much agitation. He would prefer leaving the regulation of licenses to elective district°councils. But it was gratifying to see that the public were now bestirring themselves to wipe off a public disgrace, and if they went on step by step, they would no doubt ultimately hit upon the; right scheme. With reference to the charge of restriction, he could see little force in it. Eestrictions were applied to many trades, and to this already to some extent. It was notorious that the most villainous compounds were sold under the name of spirits, and that should be . stopped. It would be considered awful if druggists were permitted to sell poisons without question or condition-, and yet many of the drinks sold were scarcely less dangerous. Some people took their beer under the plea of needing it medicinally. He thought people must be dreadfully bad all the year round when they required to take in their physicby the hogshead. He thought the medical faculty greatly to blame for encouraging tippling habits amongst women, and in families. Baby was weakly, maybe, and itwas " stout, madam," forthwith, and very stout too, sometimes. Instances were numerous of fine, intelligent, respectable ladies being brought to shame and ruin through the vulgar and reprehensible habit induced by the order ofthe " medical attendant.'' -The sooner something was •done the better, and something could only be done by action, hence the necessity for a committee. TEte hoped the agitation would go on until the public mind had been so enlightened that the nation would rise up and demand thafc this great and abominable evil shall be put down — shall be swept from the face of the earth . (Cheers.) Mr Bonthron, in seconding the resolu-; tion, adverted to Mr Bright's doubts ori the practicability of the Permissive Bill, but he (Mr B.) would remind them that Mr Bright had been still more doubtful -of — tho-40^hotir movement. Time had shown him wrong in that, and he would be found astray in this instance also. Moreover, they had the assurance of Niel Dow, at least as good an authority as Mr Bright, that the permissive system worked well in America. What the Americans; could do we could do also. He then gave some statistics showing the immense cost of its drinking habits te the colony, and concluded by hoping they would have earnest men — no shufflers — on the committee, after which the motion was carried without dissent. Mr Bethune then moved " That the proposed committee be composed of the chairman, and the movers and seconders of resolutions at this meeting, with power to add to their number." He went into elaborate statistics and calculations, showing the immense amount of money annually wasted on strong drink, and what might be accomplished with it were it applied to beneficial purposes.instancing flax manufacture and immigration, road making, &c, &c. Mr Wilson (Provincial Treasurer), who was warmly received, in seconding the motion, said he had- never been able to see through the theory of the teetotallers so clearly as to induce him to join them, i but practically he had long been a total; abstainer, and if that was an error, it was one on the safe side. He then; instanced Edinburgh as an argument in their favor. In religious Scotland — educated Scotland— in its chief city — the modern Athens, as itwas proudly called, every tenth man was a pauper,' and the whole working population were taxed, heavily taxed, to support this' , enormous pauperism, the greater part of which was incontestable the consequence, ". of drunkenness. He " doubted if even; any district in poverty-stricken Ireland could furnish proofs so appalling of thel. evils of intemperance. After referring to some reprehensible drinking customs; . even in connection with schools, in vogue; in his younger days, the speaker alluded ' to what had previously been Baid about !. Mr Bright. He (Mr W.) thought Mr Bright was afraid,: not of carrying the ; Permissive Bill into effect, but of putting ' 100,000 people out of employment. To, * enforce it here would also throw a number' [ out of their present occupations, but he concurred with Mr Fox in thinking they _ might be better employed, as they no ' doubt soon would be. He thought it ' would even be a profitable employment of capital were the public of Great Britain to say to those 100,000 people, '- " very well, be idle ; we will pay you for. being idle." Better that than paying; them for labor which waß positively mis-, 1 chievous. Mr Bright was wrong. Great; i men were so habitually right, that thefy L came to be regarded as always right, but; b they were not always sOj and this was, he; > believed, an instance of a great man being in error, f Mr Eussell, of Eyal Bush, in a few 3 well-chosen remarks, supported the action 1 of the meeting generally, expressing i himself happy at seeing teetotallers and . ) othefrs who were not so, uniting in a good

cause, after which the resolution was carried nem. con. The proceedings were then closed with the usual vote of thanks to tue chairman. The utmost order and decorum prevailed during the entire meeting, although it was rather a long one.