A. E. G. RHODES, ESQ., M.H.R., AND LOCAL OPTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2098, 13 September 1890, Page 3

A. E. G. RHODES, ESQ., M.H.R., AND LOCAL OPTION.

The following letter was recently received by the Rev. J. Dickson, chairman of the last meeting held under the auspices ©f the N.Z. Alliance in Temuka, and is published, by request, for the information of those who attended that meeting and all whom it mav concern : " September 3,1800- " The Ret, John Dicxson, The Manse, Temuka.

" Dear Sir, —I am in receipt of your letter with copy of resolution passed at Temuka re Local Option Bill. I walked out of the House when Mr Withy's motion came before the House, because I thought the matter should be thoroughly discussed by Parliament. But my Temuka friends will remember that I pledged myself last election against the direct vote clausa. Business in the present session has prevented the Bill being brought up.—Tours truly, " Aeth¥e E. GK Rhodes."

Subjoined is the resolution referred to by Mr Khodes:— "Whereas the enormous direct expenditure on intoxicatig liquors in this colony—■ amounting annually to more than two millions sterling—contributes largely to the existing depression, adds materially to crime and poverty, and reduces the capital available for reproductive industries; and, whereas the people under the existing law are powerless to remove the principal cause of these evils, it is in the opinion of this House imperative that the Government should without delay introduce a Bill giving power to the people, by direct vote at the ballotbox periodically taken, to prohibit the sale of such liquors within the district in which they reside."