NEW ZEALAND TEMPERANCE ALLIANCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1614, 30 July 1887, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND TEMPERANCE ALLIANCE.

On Wednesday evening Mr Q'over, the lecturer of the New Zealand branch of the Temperance Alliance, addressed a large audience assembled at the Volunteer Hall, Teinuka. The Rev, T. A. Hamilton occupied the chair, and the Revs, W. J. Dean and W. G. Thomas, and Captain Kessell (Salvation Army) were also present. Proceedings commenced by the singing of hymn No. 66, Sankey’s collection, Miss Blyth accompanying on the harmonium. The Chairman then in a few words introduced Mr Glover, and expressed the pleasure he felt at aeeing so large an attendance. Hymn No. 1 was then sung, after which the Rev. MrDean engaged in prayer. Mr Glover, who was greeted with applause, regretted that he had not previously had an opportunity of visiting Temuka. Since the Alliance had been started in New Zealand some 12 months previously ho had been engaged lecturing iu various parts of the colony, and was pleased to say that the movement h«d met with almost general success. Sir William Pox was President of hs New Z island branch, and ifc was at hi« instigation th«t he (Mr Glover) had pome to this country; • In connection with the ;ct of the Tem H e-mice Alliance, he wishnu it to be particularly understood that it was no (iiffioulflhing ifi't they were trying to br<ng to p»«*. The oply change toey desired was that the option of giamiug license' 1 ' lor (ho sale of in oxiouling iiq ior should be kfl in the hands ol the people,

They did not want to close public houses/ They only wanted to slop the drink traffic. They did’not recognise the right to give compensation in cases where the license had been taken away from a house. They did not object to public houses, but decidedly objected to drink. The Alliance was endeavoring to get candidates to represent the people in Parliament who would promise to use their best efforts to get a Bill passed entrusting the people with the power of saying that they would or would not have liquor sold in their midst. The principle had already been granted, but it was not being carried out in its integrity. Reverting to the question of compensation, the lecturer said that there was r.o precedent for such a thing. If compensation were offered ho would venture to. say that every publican in Temuka would be only too glad to vote for Local Option. Houses had been closed in Canada and in England without compensation, and the New Zealand Alliance was firm upon that point. Again, who was to receive compensation ? Was it to be the struggling publican, (he prosperous brewer, or the people, who might fairly claim that they were entitled to receive compensation for the misery and ruin brought upon numbers among them by drink I It would be said that the publican paid t heavy license for the right to sell drink, and was furthermore compelled to build extensive premises and furnish them well before ho could obtain that license, and that it was therefore an injustice to deprive him of it. He would reply that the licen«e was granted for one year only, and conferred a privilege and not a right. Again, the law of New Zealand was framed for the purpose of preventing mere drinking houses being built. Accommodation for the public was what was wanted, and only respectable men were allowed to hold licenses. This was why such large hotels had been built, and it was the duty of the Licensing Committees to see that the accommodation was sufficient, and not to enquire into the condition of the bar. The Alliance did not want to shut up accommodation houses. He was glad to s»y that vast strides in the direction of temperance had already been made. Some fifteen years ago the annual sum per bead spent in liquor was £lO. To-day it only amounted to £B. Ho quoted from the Evening Bell, a brewer’s paper, where it stated “ that no one could question the extraordinary advance of the temperance cause, and the time was within measurable distance when no spirituous drink would be allowed on New Zealand shores.” On all tides candidates were posing before their constituents and promising to comply with the general demand for retrenchment. In the speaker’s idea nothing hitherto suggested would do any good. His idea was to create a greater purchasing power among the people. At present 2£ millions were spent annually on strong drink. This sum saved would pay all the Education Bill and the interest on the National debt. The lecturer spoke of the lime when distillation was permitted and protected la New Zealand, and gave a humorous description of the Government enquiry as to whether it was giving any employment, or could fairly be called a local industry. It was found that a large distillery only gave employment to a man and a boy, and that in place of Colonial malt being used it was found cheaper to make whiskey from boiled-down sugar mats, etc. He made a fervent appeal to the patriotism of the young men among his hearers. At present, in spite of the general cry, hard times were not knowu n New Zealand. Hero the highest average wages in the world were paid, and it remained with the coming race to protect their country’s interests. It was often said that the establishment of local industries would result in over-produc-tion, He believed that there was no such thing. Under-consumption was the thing to be dreaded, and if the money spent on drink were employed in the purchase of the necessaries, to say nothing of the luxuries, of life, the national wealth would bo increased. As an instance of the results of prohibition, he oiled the settlement of Albertland, in Auckland, which was now established over 15 years, and in which there was no licensed houses. It was originally one of the poorest of settlements, and was now a moat prosperous one. The people were strong and healthy, and in the cemetery the drunkard's grata was unknown. Mr Glover then explained the objects and regulations of the Alliance, and invited all present to join, Hymn No. 24 was then sung, after which the Rev. W. J. Dean delivered a humorous and telling address and proposed a hearty vole of thanks to the Chairman. The Rev, W. G. Thomas seconded it, and the Chairman responded in a few words, concluding by moving a vole of thanks to the Lecturer. After hymn No, 25 bad been sung, a collection was made to defray expenses. The Doxology was then sung, and the Rev. W, J. Daan pronounced the Benediction. The meeting then terminated.