PUBLIC MEETING.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 265, 19 May 1888, Page 2

PUBLIC MEETING.

A meeting; in the interests of the N, r A. Alliance for the suppression of the liquor traffic was hold in the To Aroha Public Hall on Tuosiloy evening last. There was only a mod era le attendance, not buoh a& niiyiit have boen t\i illy expected,

considering the fart that two such speakers as Sir W, Fox and Mr Glover were announced to take part. The chair was occupied by Rev. S. Lawry, who in introducing the visitors made a short speech, referring to the prospects of the temperance cause in New Zealand. Mr Glover proceeded to explain the work of the N. Z. Alliance, and to describe some of the work done during thetwo years the Association has been at work. He set forth as the special feature of their work that they aimed at giving the people of each district the power of determining whether or not there should be any licensed houses in their midst. With this principle, he said, the people, the press, and the pulpit were in full sympathy ; and the politicians were so to a very great extent, 24 members of the present House of Representatives being pledged to the principles of the Alliance, and a large number more are willing provided compensation be given. Mr Glover proceeded to show the utter groundlessness of the claim for compensation. He then pointed out the great loss sustained by the expenditure in strong drink and gambling. Sir W. Fox on being called on to address the meeting referred to the work of the W. C. T. Union in America, and spoke of the desirability of women being allowed to take part in deciding these social questions at the ballot box. He said there were two ways of gotting rid of the drink—taking the man from the drink, and taking the drink from the man, i.e. moral suasion and prohibition. The first of these had done much, but the second was required to complete the work, Miss G. Maingay precided at the piano during the evening with her usual efficiency.