NO-LICENSE PICNIC AT STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 272, 10 November 1908, Page 2

NO-LICENSE PICNIC AT STRATFORD.

I lie above function was a most sueeessful a (fair. I'ur two years the So- ' License picnic has been spoilt by too ; lllucl ' water; yesterday it was dry but - cloudy, Some were perhaps deterred ' from attending by the threatening _ morning; others were attracted by the • opposition gathering at Xgairc. Nevertlu'lcs- a large crowd assembled in the i Victoria Park to honor the temperance cause. There were games and races for the boys, cricket for the men, alii scrambles for the little ones; on the whole, a very enjoyable time was spent. Of cour.se, the feature of the meeting wag the .speeches. A representative of each of the Taranaki electorates gave some account of how the No-License cause was progressing In his own district, aiid all tlie reports were very encouraging. Mr. llruntnell then took til2 platform, and in a vigorous speech re- ■ plied to a number of the statements lately made by the advocates of liquor I and license. He referred to Parliameutary returns and Year Book records to I show that in spite of all the difficulties j there bad been very great reduction iu the amount of liquor consumed und?r Xo-License in areas where that sVstem lias been adopted. He further 'dealt with some of tbe statements as to the value of, or, rather, injury caused by alcoholic beverages; in this ho adduced authority of the very greatest weight, quoting from the latest work on alcohol by Sir Victor llorsley. There was good singing and plenty of music. The promoters of the picnic feel deeply indebted to the bands in attendance—the Stratford Municipal Band and the Salvation Army Band,