THE LICENSING BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3005, 30 September 1908, Page 5

THE LICENSING BILL.

A BIG DEMONSTRATION,

RESOLUTION OF PROTEST.

Received September 29, 8.30 a.m. LONDON, September 28. A quarter of a million people held a demonstration on Sunday, in Hyde Park, against the Licensing Bill. Seventy thousand provincial excursionists who came by 170 special trains from all parts of the Kingdom participated. Fifteen processions marched to the Park, those taking part carrying banners. There were 100 bands present. Ninety speakers, including Mr Henniker Heaton (Conservative M.P. for Canterbuiy), Mr H. H. Marks (Conservative M.P. for Isle of Thanet), and Mr H. Stavely-Hill (Conservative M.P. for Kingswinford division of Staffordshire), from twenty platforms, denounced the Bill. A motion was carried, amid tremendous applause, protesting that the Bill, if passed, would increase intemperance, violate the rights of property, and interfere with the reasonable liberty of the community. The brewing interest secured for excursionists excessively cheap fares by guaranteeing the railways against loss. The "Times" says:—"The demonstration was remarkable as an example of skilful organisation.but the great majority protested in perfect seriousness." The "Daily News" declares that the processionists were chiefly freetrinper3 and poor hireling victims of drink.