GOOD TEMPLARY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 37, 7 August 1911, Page 3

GOOD TEMPLARY

At Waitara on Thursday Miss (Irimley opened a three days' mission in St. John's Hall to a good audience. The Rev. C. F. R. Harrison was in the chair, and opened the meeting, and declared his sympathy in that he was himself a total abstainer and had in other districts assisted the temperance work, and was ready to do so here. Miss Grimlev addressed herself to her subject, '"Good Templary," with a tact and point that commanded strict attention. Several persons expressed their desire to form a temperance lodge in Waitara. This, it is anticipated, will be done as the outcome of the mission.

Miss Harrison contributed largely to the pleasure of the meeting by her efficient service at the piano. Owing to illness, several who had promised to assist in the musical part of the programme were unable to be present. On Friday evening the second meeting of the series was held, with his Worship the Mayor (Mr. Jenkins) in tlie chair. His Worship expressed his willingness as Mayor to preside over any meetings which were intended for the public benefit, and, further, that tlie temperance movement, had his hearty sympathy. On the platform also was the Rev. R. J. Liddell. who gave a short address. Miss Grimley pointed out that while many people admitted that strong drink may not be necessary for health, thought we must have it in times of sickness. This error she met by reference to the experience in the Leicester Hospital. About six years ago the use of, alcoholic liquors was quite given up in that institution, with the result that the deathrate fell about 25 per cent. Many .other references were made to similar results' from the avoidance of alcohol in disease*! and in health. Much of her address went to show to any who were open to reason that there was no good in the drink and a great deal of danger. She pointed out that the Good Templar remedy was "total abstinence for the individual and prohibition for the State."

Mr. reported a conversation he had with a New Plymouth doctor, who declared to him that alcohol was a poison and of no use for human consumption. As to the other part of the Templar aim, State prohibition or' 'local no-license, he said that his four years' experience in Ashburton convinced him that the absence of the open bar was a great benefit to that town and district, and would be so wherever tried'.

A party of seven ladies and gentlemen from New Plymouth enlivened the proceedings with some excellent music, which met with hearty applause. The Mayor was thanked for his services as chairman on a motion by Rev. R. J. Liddell, seconded by Mr. Pepperell.