No-License in Invercargill.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43338, 16 June 1908, Page 3

No-License in Invercargill.

The Mayor and 100 leading business and professional men affirm the value of NO-LICENSE. The following correspondence has passed between the Otago agent of the No-license party, and the Mayor of Invercargill. The letter and answer were then placed before a number of the more prominent business men of this city, the intention being to secure 100 thoroughly representative names as concurring with the Mayor’s estimate of the I position. We are infornled that this . number was easily secured and could have been largely increased as signatures were readily given to what was almost invariably received as “a very moderate and unanswerable statement of the case.” Dunedin, March, 1908. To Mr W. B. Scandrett, I Mayor of Invercargill. Dear Sir, — - In my joumeyings to Australia and to different parts of New Zealand I have frequently heard and have been called on to answer in newspaper correspondence statements about Invercargill, which, if allowed to go unanswered by some person in authority, will yet do harm to the reputation of your city. Needless to say, these canards are circulated in the first instance by interested persons, but they are unfortunately, at a later period, believed by persons of integrity and intelligence. In order that such persons may not be misled by these “ travellers tales,” and thus do the city an injustice, I would ask you to answer the following questions. When the good name of your city is involved, there is no element of partisanship in answering such enquiries as the following in a manner so decisive that interested persons will no longer be able to play fast and loose with the reputation of the City of Invercargill to suit their own ends, i.e., the maintenance of the licensed liquor trade in other places.—Yours truly, G. B. Nicholes.

As the Mayor’s reply contains the questions it will save repetition to pass straight on to that document. Mr G. B. Nicholls,

Otago Agent N.Z. Alliance. Dunedin, Dear Sir, —

lam favoured with your letter of yesterday’s date relative to the question of .icensed hotels.

The first question you ask is : “In your opinion has the carrying of Noicense in any way kept back or put back land values in Invercargill ?” To this I reply : “ The electors of Invercargill on the 6th of December, 1906, by a 3902 in favour of No-license to a vote of 2673 for Continuance of licenses, caused the bars of the hotels to be closed and legal sale of liquor to cease in Invercargill on June 30th, 1906. Southland, of which Invercargill is the capital, has had from ten to fifteen years of undoubted prosperity, due largely to the subdivision of estates, and consequent extension of settlement. The excellent prices obtainable for the products of an agricultural and pastoral community have caused a demand for all labour available, and money has accumulated. Property from the above causes has greatly increased in value. In the residents! portion of the town and j suburbs the value of property is double ' what it was in 1900. No-license has no | detrimental influence on the value of property in Invercargill.” Question No. 2 : “Is public order in the streets better or worse since the inauguration of No-license ?”

Public order is excellent. It is seldom a man either drunk or under the influence of liquor is seen in the streets of Invercargill. Question No. 3 : “So far as you can see has the moral tone of the citizens deteriorated ?”

The. moral tone has necessarily improved. Question No. 4 : “ Would you like to see licenses restored to Invercargill p” In the best interests of our growing youth I would regret tb see license restored. 1

Question No. 5 : “Is your experience of the reform such that you would feel justified in recommending it to other cities in the Dominion of New Zealand and in Australia ?”

The foregoing answers form a reply to your fifth questien. ,

i Yours faithfully, (Signed) W. B. Scandrett, Mayor of Invercargill.