MR COOPER IN REPLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2221, 30 June 1891, Page 2

MR COOPER IN REPLY.

10 THE IDITOH. But,—Mr Dana is not satisfied with my letter, anent the B«t. Mr Hamiltoa’i position on the Prohibition question, but seems to think that the re?-, gentleman has been altogether wrongly “gone for.” The letter I wrete was penned with the sole object of pouring oil on troubled waters. Bat the waters, or Mr Dann, or the Rev. Mr Hamilton refused to be calmed. In fairness to my loyal colleagues I must now toll the other half the truth. At the preliminary meeting of temperance workers called to consider the advisability of contesting the licensing election Mr Hamilton presided and was in a minority of one, Mr Hamilton’s contention was, “We are not prepared to flght, as the Bine Ribbon meetings hare lapsed, and very little active work has been done for some time in the way of getting up temperance enthusiasm. Let us pass over the present election, and during the next three years try to educate the people up te our standpoint by means of meetings and in other ways.” In this course he offered to render all the help he could. Not a word, mind you; about being opposed to Prohibition! But it simply waa a question of time; not now, but three years hence. For said he “ We are not prepared to fight and will get an awful licking.” Our reply to this argument was “ There is no time like the present, as men’s mouths are now full of Prohibition and no better way can be found of educating. the people than ageod electioneering contest, and if we do not win we shall at least know our strength, and the knowledge so gained will be useful another time. Besides, there is no disgrace in being beaten in a' good cause.” And the result proved that our view was the right one, for the licking we got was not such a very awful one after all. Well; I have shewn what was Mr Hamilton’s position at the outset of the contest, and, so far as we could judge, that remained bis position (with occasional veerings) till the publication of his now famous sermon in which be called prohibition " A clumsy and offensive weapon.” And if any of your readers have copies ef the Tb uujUl Leadek of May 14th and Jane 16tb, and will lay the two side by side, they will, to say the least of it, be astonished at the rev. gentleman’s forgetfulness. The following is your report of the close of Mr Hamilton’* speech in the Wesleyan Church on May 13th:—

Prohibition was acting walll in other places. Witness its affects in Kara tong a, and also the way id which betels were dealt with in Hungary, Prohibition proposed ro stamp out drink in as amicable a way as possible, but they would have a hard fight against ancient drinking customs modern vested interests. Tba speaker’s address was illustrated with numerous anecdotes, and concluded with a comparison from the raising of Lazarza, where Christ bad said " Come forth.” bnt turning to tbe people by he said “ Roll ye away the atone. It was for them to roll away the stone from the sepulchre ; tbe rest would bo done for them. The address was heartily applauded. And now, Sir, you mast accept my assnrance that this kind of work is net to my mind. But Mr Dann was not satisfied hence this further explanation.—Tours, &Q., J. Oo®PEE.