PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 March 1919, Page 3

PROHIBITION CAMPAIGN.

K.S.W. LEGISLATOR AT EMPIRE THEATRE.

A further meeting in connection with the campaign for the prohibition of the liquor traffic was held at the Empire Theatre on Salurdav night, when Mr A. Bruntiiell, M.L.A., of New South Wales, save an address, in which he made a

strong appeal for prohibition for the sake of tin! children. The chair _ was taken by Commandant Rowlands of the local corps of the Salvation Army, who, in introducing the speaker, said they had been personal friends for ft great many years, and for that reason, a", well as others, he was pleased to welcome Mr Bruntnell and preside over his meeting. Mr Bruntnell said he was pleased to renew bis acquaintance with New Plymouth, especially in connection with a campaign which he hoped would be memorable in the annals of New Zealand. He had come at the invitation of the New Zealand Alliance and the New Zealand Efficiency League- Some of the opponents of the reform be was helping to advocate bad taken exception to his coming to New Zealand, and had said there was plenty of scope for social reform work in N.S.W- to engage his attention. While admitting that, (•he speaker said he thought he had some claim to eome to New Zealand and help in this great work, as be had been a citizen of the Dominion for a number of Years, and one of his children bad been horn in New Zealand and another was buried beneath its soil. He further called to remembrance the fact that it wd« over So vea-rs ago. in New Zealand he bad received his first baptism of prohibition Ire, under such leaders as the late T E Tavlor, the Hevs. Muuto and Tsitt- (Applause'. He felt deeply for the cause which those men had commenced Mr BTimtnoll referred to the excellent meetings he had addressed since coming to New Zealand, and Raid the indications pointed to a magnificent triumph for right on April 10 Spenkin*' of the position in his own State. Mr Bruntnell «ai'.l the prohibition movemen* had made marvellous pro-o-rers The peonle over there, however, looked to New Zealand as an example in Pint matter. Thev always thou-rot of New Zealand as the land whici would first wipe out the champion curse of civilisation. He believed that, if a vote were taker, in N.S/W. on the same lines as that to be taken here next month the trade would be wiped outOne of the chief contributing reasons for such an opinion wa.s the success of fie .partial reform bv the initiation o, 1 -x o'clock closing. There had been a teHV," r>hf to get it. TV temperance rartv ;., vs.W had heen so temperate that' thev had asked for 0 o'clock clos- •„,„■ The Premier had offered ten oVloc-V closing, and after a heated debate in Parliament, the Bill vna thrown out It was not to be denifd that the traffic was entrenched behind political cowardice and Christian lukewarinness Mr Bruntnell then related the instance nf V« own re-ei,try into politics, on the understanding that he was "all out for six o'-loek closing, and how the measure ■ was brought into force. He said he beUnveil that if N.SW. voted on the question now six o'clock closing would receive a bin' maioritv. and the further reforms would be demanded. The sentiment against the traffic was particularly strong in the industrial ccntres_ The' benefits from the early closing of {he hotels were very much marked in the homes of the neople- Tie related a number of instances that bad come under his own nersoiiKl notice in which, the. improved home conditions had been direct !v brought about as the result of the six o'clock closing law. and in which the men most, concerned now declared themselves "six o'clockors" everv lime. Money sne'.t in the channel* which went to im-ni-ove the home life was a good investment, for the home life was the ncrvo centre of all national life. Mr BruntUicH again related here seme accounts n-iven to him bv friends since his return to New Zealand or bow drmk had claimed the lives of many whom he had known during his residence in the Bominion The traffic, he said, was an evil that blighted to such an extent as to be a reproach to any community that tolerated its existence. People should be taught to stop spending money on such an evil, and to spend it on mor» profitable* things. The thing was an economic waste and ciiTse, and the mnnev invested in it did not give a fanvet urn to the people. It was a menace to the nvital and moral development of the rl iUren. In this connection the sneaker stated that, returns prepared in New South Wales bv an independent authority showed that of the children who became wards nf the otate, from (ill to 70 per cent were =o placed directly through the effects of the liquor trade, and the same traffic was doing the same evil in the Dominion of New" Zealand "No child." continue.! the speaker, '''came into the world but had the inherent right to he properly fed. clothed and educated." The boys and girls wer-< the hope of the future—they were tho- cement of civilisation--and it was not much 10 ask the moderate people to give up. what was really at. its verv best, but an expensive, luxury, for the sake of the children. His appeal, he said, was on behalf of those who would be the men and women of the future. He admitted that if prohibition was carried the chances of reclaiming the drinker were small, hut wi«dom bade them look to, and provide for, the future of the race. It might well he asked why Christian people did not. wipe this thing out, so as to prevent the appetit", which had been such a curse to so many, from being found in those who were now children. He made his appeal on the ground of a desire to save what was the most important and valuable asset to the State —the children. Continuing, the speaker said everyone knew men, who, but for this evil would adorn the best positions that society could offer them. The traffic had touched someone belonging to nearly everv person, and those whom it had touch VI were worth an effort to redeem The speaker =aid that if anv ope could show him that the liquor traffic, iind"'whalever system it was controlled. V,d ever done anything for the good of humanity ii C would quit the platform an advocate of prohibition. Tleforrlng to local option he said that it did not give the chance that was wanted. The 'total pr-ihibition of the manufacture, imnortation and sale of liquor was what was required in order to give the reform a fair trial. The opportunity for such a trial was now within reach, for the electors had. the power to vote the traffic out bv the end of June next, and th.it without the hitherto iniquitous hrwlionp of the three-fifths maioritv. Mr Bruntnell then addressed himself, to the proposals that will be submitted at the next general election in the ease of prohibition not being carried in April, and said that it would.be practically ta-

possible to get an absolute majority for either prohibition or national ownership against continuance, and therefore continuance would he carried. _ He pointed out also that in the event of prohibition being carried ample provision was made for the use of alcohol for industrial, medicinal and sacramental purposes. The speaker dealt with the revenue and taxation aspects of the question, and also with the reason for offering compensation if prohibition was carried in April next, and he concluded a very telling address with an appeal to the youngest portion of a democratic Empire to set an example and flash across to the Motherland the truth that there is a democracy that will not he dominated by tht liquor traffic No questions wore asked, and on the motion of the Rev. 0. Bhvndell, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the speaker, and a. similar compliment was paid to the chair. Mr Bruntiiell also addressed another meeting in the satßo theatre last night.