"NO NEED FOR DESPAIR”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 515, 19 November 1928, Page 14

"NO NEED FOR DESPAIR”

REV. L. B. FLETCHER ON PROHIBITION “WILL GO FORWARD AGAIN” “As we look on defeat do not let us be discouraged,” said the Rev. L. B. Fletcher, in the course of an address on the licensing poll at the Beresford Street Congregational Church yesterday. “Some of you have possibly come to church feeling a sense of defeat and disappointment,” said Mr. Fletcher, speaking at the morning service. “There is no need for despair. Past defeats have eliminated from the camp of those fighting prohibition all who ; have not passionate convictions. We are fighting what we believe to be a battle of God —we sincerely think the removal of the drink traffic from New Zealand will be for the moral and spiritual uplift of the whole people. The prohibition party had not advertised this year, while its opponents had lavishly poured out money in misleading advertisements. In spite of this, there were more than 250,000 people who could not be moved from their passionate conviction that prohibition was the will of God for the people. “Results have nothing to do with it —not if we are beaten time and time again. We think our cause is right and we will not be hindered from going on. We must go forward again with this solid army of 250,000 people, knowing that eventually right must prevail.” Speaking especially to young men and women in the evening Mr. Fletcher urged them to live for their country and for self. He called upon young people to develop themselves mentally and spiritually and to make up their minds to enter the fight for prohibition and to make of civic authorities and Parliament places where the people would be served well. In this way a magnificent nation would be built up in New Zealand.