No-License League.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42794, 21 October 1905, Page 2

No-License League.

ADDRESS BY MRS HARRISON LEE. On Thursday evening in the Theatre, Mrs Harrison Lee addressed a considerable gathering, on the question of No-license. The chair was taken by the Rev J. Blight, who was supported on the platform by the Rev. R. J. Burrows and the Rev. A. N. Davis. The Chairman introduced Mrs Lee who proceeded to say that she was sorry they c uld net amalgamate the two meetings that night, but that she had sent a challenge to Mr Dixon Ward to come here and bring his audience, or to allow Mrs Lee to go over to the Public Hall and take those who were new before her.

The cause of the whole question, said Mrs Lee is, “ Are wo satisfied with the liquor traffic as it at present carried on?” ‘ No! even in Rotorua those who were drinkers said they were go ing to vote No-license in order to break down monoply, so it is seen that drinking people are not satisfied with the way in which the liquor traffic is carried on. Every government in the civilised world found it necessary to 'restrict the number engaged in the drink traffic, and to determine those to whom drink can be sold. The people engaged in the traffic have not kept their part of the contract; they have sold drink to drunken men, to those below the statuory age, and also to prohibited persons. People are being asked to put it out cf exis'ence as a bad system, there is no po.'er to prohibit liquor in New Zealand in any district: you can only close the pub ic bars. Anyone could have a keg in their own house without breaking the law. No-license is not prohibition,! and this should be understood. We all know the “ shouting” system has become a terrible bore. If the liquor was voted out, ithe shouting, system would he thrown out. Business men’find it a nuisance, and the mothers are against it, on behalf the the boys and girls in whom they have a vested interest —the liquor traffic cannot get on without a fresh supply of young people. There must be a fight now between the mothers and the liquor traffic of the colony. _ Here was handed in Mr Ward’s reply to Mrs L< e’s challenge, and stated that whilst acknowledging the honour, he (Mr Ward) must adhere to his original decision not to meet a lady in debate, but would meet any gentleman. Mr Davis had also sent a challenge to Mr Ward, and the reply directed his (Mr Davis’) attention to two former letters from Mr Ward. These loiters were read. Mr Davis explained that Mr Ward had been challenged by Mr Win. Richardson, and three times by Mrs Lee, but would not(accepf, and had asked to meet the Rev Isitt, who was at that time touring the other end of New Zealand* Mr Davis in his reply s&id that Mi Ward did not seem to understand that Mr Isitt was engaged, and that Mrs Lee was their representative, that if Mr Ward would not accept her challenge, then they would know he was'(afraid to meet any of their representatives on a public platform, Proceeding, Mrs Lee said the drink maker and seller were resp msible for the trade. She had found iu Melbourne that drink was the greates stumbling-block to so ualadvanc ■meat. Lnter Mrs Lee described her ex patiences of districts in New Zealand where no-licence had been tried, and said iliat without exception the great majority of the people were entirely satisfied with the beneficial results, and ins'anced the risiug votes of Olutha in favor of uo-licenseat successive pods, and the fact that after two periods of no license iu 01u:ha, the neighbouring electorates on each side, seeing the results in Olutha. hid voted no» icense also. At Ashburton she want r-und 'o see if ev. n the ex publicans had suffered, and when she enquired to be shown one "f them, she was introduced to the M iyor of the town, who had previ >usly been a publican for 21 years ! He and others assured her of the rising prosperity ef Ashburton tfuee no liceuse cauie in. In dealing wiih this, ibe commercial side of the question, Mrs Lee spoke with no unc-fiain voice, ana showed how even a in (derate drinker, who patronised the liquor bars to the extent, of 6d a day only, spent £9 2s 6u in n year, with which he might provide many more comforts for the home, if the temptation to spend his money in the bars were removed.

In conclusion, Mrs Le« said that liberty was not sacrificed by voting 1 JN'O’dicense. The people only used their power for what they believed, to be the best—to break down monopoly. Throughout her address Mis Lie raised many a hearty laugh by her quaint sayings and’humorous eneedotes, and though the subject was a serious one, and realised as such to the full by the audience, they passed anything but a dull evening. A hearty vote of thanks was pro* posed by Mr Blight, and carried with loud acclamation.