License v. No-License.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7954, 18 October 1905, Page 2

License v. No-License.

LKL'TIUB iry MH WOOLbEY HH PAUL REPLIES. , T , l !" l ' e „;™ s another targe uiKlienc,! «' Theatre Royal on Tuesday ';. l ' l " l l 'S,"i ''*>'• Hie lion. J. V, ..V" '' V S < ,,h,r, 'ss on thr. subject uf l.iicnsu v, No-License." The drai: wan taken by jMr J. ». (.;„„„,.,,. Ihe speaker, in tho course of u *<'i\y able ami stirring' speech, made nn eloquent appeal to every vote: to rid himself or herself of complicity with the 'drink-business. Air Jas. Paul, who was granted the opportunity of speaking at the conclusion of tho address, said that he wished to traverse some of ' the speaker's arguments, ami would go more, fully into Hi,, subject at a public meeting to 'be hehl at a later (late, jlle contended that Hie harrowing state of affairs pouttrayed bv Mr Woolley did not exist in. New Zualand. whatever might be the case elsewhere. As to the trade locally, it was admitted that tlw hotels Wr« admirably conducted in Xew Plymouth, it was not the case here that a visitor going into a hotel was '■ up against a beer barrel" straight away. As a matter of fact Ihe greatest privacy was ensured, so that persons in tho residential portion could go to their rooms .without being near the bar or cvej. smelling the liquor. If matters were in as' deplorable a condition in America as the lecturer tod depleted, it seemed to jiiui (Mr Paul) that Mr Woolley had a far greater field tor bis labours and was more urgently required at home. (Laughter, up-' plause, and dissent.) New Zvalaml was a solvor count ry, and as ivgarded New Plymouth he (Mr Paul) did not believe there was a more sober town in the Southern Hemisphere. (Applause.) llvi considered that J'roli'ibllion had not 'been a success, as Rrilish people had an inherent ob-ject-ion to, bjL'i'iigi prohiMjted' as to what they should eal.i drink, or ihink.

At this stage tin speaker beeaine rather hoarse with the elKori to make himself heard, ami amidst great laughteil Mr Woolley handeh the representative, of "the trade" a oi pure water. Mr Paul smilingly quaffed the innocuous draught, and caused more laughter by -asserting- Unit it ".did not quite agree will) him,"

Continuing. Mr Paul denounced the tactics of the Council of the Churches in having ■ the hotels in Wellington watched on a recent date, and ivKerred with sarcasm to detectives in "black clothes and while chokers doing policemen's work instead of'be-, ing lioinv prcVaring; their sermons for Sunday." (bang-liter.)' W'as this an exhibition of their vaunted

"faith" and strength. of purpose? MrWoolley.; referring to the reason for the 'drink trafflc, had said there was "money In it the sameas in tho picking of pockets." He (Mr Paul) failed to see the disinterestedness o! the Prohibition shakers. Were they, als-0..-n:iijt doinglyi.t) for- uicnnyf* The Uev. L. lsitl had givne Home, advertised himself in tho manner of a showman as "the great New Z'ealnml orator," and stated in the press hj« was paid £2.") a week' for his services.

Messrs Maunder, (ireeu, and other members of the audience questioned this slatement. which, it appeared, was d. nited by Mr Jsitt on his recent

visit} here. Mr I'nu) went on to ask what| had li«ron:c of tlio collections cm Kathar H-a.Ts* luur ; no 'lmlance-slveet wan ovnr heard of. Tlq did not doubt that (lie iivtcMions of these pe-oplti were, good, but tho way to "a hot place" wn<! pavetl wilji good Intenllona. To put itemptation 'beyond tile reach of people was not 'the. way to build 1 up n strongMiiinded ..people ; those brougjvt up in swa<ty' dling clothes would succumb to tho first, tenipint'ioii they vncounteral. Unaling wit'h another assertion, Mi Paul said 'hii.mrtlcKl that tlio rrohlbllionist ; peoplu did not appear 1o be any moi-u prosperous than (hvi* inns who did not object to a i;las. . i.ei.r In moderation. He was its an.ch against, excess as anyone but be believed the middle course! to l>C the rig-11l otic. 11l his opinion, Jjn.il

they all been Prohibitionists the Em-, pire would not liavo ■been in Mioj position it was to-day. He said in l conclusion that he could not understand such an insano idea «s «. temperate sober town taking out a Prohibition order against itself.

Mr Paul thanked Mr Woolley for his courtesy, and tamidst applause cordially shook hands with him before resuming his seat. Mr Woclloy, in reply to Mr Paul's question whether he was entirely philanthropic, said that tho -Alliance had undertaken to pay his expenses and a reasonable remuneration. (Applause.) Mr Paul rose to say he accepted the statement. So far as Mr| Woolley was concerned he_/agreed that there was "no money in it." Mr Woolley, continuing, said that ho had given up the best years oi his life to temperance work nt a monetary loss to himself. With reference to an interview which appeared in tho Auckland Herald, by aMr .Lethingwell, in which be had asserted that the Prohibition movement in America was unsuccessful, Mr Woolley stated that tho paper had been paid bjy -live trade for v iiH selling the interview. The Prohibitionists were informed by the paper ollice thai if they wantedj to reply Ihe.V would have to pay too.

Mr Paul denied ithat any iiionoy was) paid by thq trade or anyone else to Mr JL/othiivgwell. Mr Woolley said that he did not alh'gjJ that, | only ttat the 'article ns» ferred to in Mr Paul's remarks the

previous night had been paid for. Mr Paul said it was usual for newspapers to charge for. space for special matter of this sort. That wati no imputation on the matter contained in the interview, Mr Woolley said that he Could tell by reading the interview that tho gentleman was not well posted up, and had evidently spread himself about places he ha<B never visited. A vote of thanks to the lecturer movetj by Mr Pikett and carried with acclamation. Mr Connett was thanked for presiding.