THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1919, Page 6

THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

■ AMERICAN LADY LECTURER. Mrs E. Craven Wheeler, who is vhrting New Zealand in the interests of the prohibition campaign, gave two addresses in New Plymouth yesterday. Mrs Wheeler is a Californian lady and hails from Los Angelos, and has come to New Zealand to tell the story of how the fight for prohibition was carried on and won in America . Mrs Wheeler is a splendid elocutionist as well as a fluent and interesting speaker, and she gave several very enjoyable recitations prior to her addresses. In the afternoon the visitor addressed a crowded meeting for women only in the Good Templar Hall. The gathering wa3 a very representative one, and a very warm welcome was accorded to Mrs Wheeler. Mrs Douglas occupied the chair. At night she also addressed a largely attended public meeting in Everybody's Theatre, and was again very enthusiastically received. Tho Rev. F. G. Harvie presided. After dealing w.ith some differences between the position in America and that in New Zealand, Mrs Wheeler said there was no difference in the effect of the liquor business in any country. In America the people had come to the conclusion that it had done more than any .other agency to make them inefficient, incompetent, and to create sorrow and heart-breaking in their homes. The American nation, however, had "cut out" this liquor business, and as a result the brewers were moving across, the border to Mexico, where they hoped to entrench themselves so as to" be able to export liquor to all the "wet" countries. So they could understand those engaged in the liquor business were keenly interested in the campaign in New £Vaiand. Mrs. Wheeler said she had been frequently asked: "Is America dry?" Lately there had been many conflicting cables in the press, and so she could not say what the position was to-day. She did know that America went "dry" as a war measure on July 1, 1919, which would cease temporarily on the demobilisation of the troops, and result probably in a few of the States reverting to "wet." .But bv the people's law after January IG. 1920, the whole American nation would go "dry" permanently, and the people would be freed from the liquor business for ever. (Applause.) The lecturer proceeded to enumerate the benefits derived by the States which had gone "dry." showing that the money previously spent in liquor was now used for purchasing mill: for children, boots and shoes for the women and children. She warmly combated the argument and the statement iij the press that the drug habit followed in the wake of prohibition, and showed that in one of the States—Kansas —there were fewer people addicted to the drug habit since the enactment of prohibition. Kansas had more money in the bank per head of population than anv other State, and every sixth of its population had their Ford, a striking testimony to the value* of prohibition. She also related how the great American railroad companies refused to employ men in responsible positions who touched liquor, and as a result there had been fewer accidents and increased efficiency. At last night's'meeting Mrs Wheeler had the American and British flags spread out on the platform and on these symbols she based a very strong plea in support of the cleaner and healthier life that would .come with the abolition of the liquor traffic. In conclusion Mrs. Wheeler made a powerful appeal to ths people .and particularly to the women, to "roll up" a bieger majority for prohibition in December next, and vote out the liquor business for "efficiency's sake," the same as had been done by America. (Applause.) A number of questions were asked on various aspects of the question, and the thanks to Mrs. Wheeler for her address, proceedings closed with very hearty