A CONVERT TO NO-LICENSE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3044, 14 November 1908, Page 6

A CONVERT TO NO-LICENSE.

Mr John Hessey gives his Views. Explains what Led to Ms Altered Opinions. DIRE TRAGEDIES CAUSED BY DRINK No-License "brings Increased Prosperity. Unquestionable Cases in Point. CONVINCING FACTS AND OPINIONS. Some Logical Conclusions. Impeachment of the Brewers' Monopoly. Strong Condemnation of the " Shouting " Habit. £An Earnest Appeal to the Whole Community.

"'A'gielt niimßer ol srfe«lQerits will be interested to learn that Mr John Hessey, one of our most highly-esteemed citizens, has openly decared himself as a firm believer in No-License. "I'm going to strike out the top line, and I do not mind who knows it," said Mr Hessey during a conversation on Saturday last. "I've never done so befpre, but I have good reasons for changing my opinion on the subject," he added. A statement so definite Jas this, coming from a careful and somewhat conservative business man —one who is a shrewd observer and is always able to give sound reasons for any opinion he might hold—should have if considerable influence with Masterton voters who desire accurate and disinterested information on the much-discussed question of ; NoLicense,

suffered. I asked a banii J also, if No-License had had detrimental effect on trade. H 6 replied unhesitatingly that it had not; on the other hand, he considered it was, responsible for an improvement. I asked the leading lawyer of the town a similar question, and got, in effect, the same answer. People in Invercargill and Ashburton also tell me that business has improved under No-License. I am so absolutely convinced of the good effects of NoLicense that I can now scarcely understand anyone opposing it for fear it should hurt business. When one thinks calmly over the matter, it seems almost incredible that any of

"Brewers' Monopoly.'' You speak very decidedly on the question of voting for No-License, Mr Hessey? "I do. I have reason to; and I care not who knows that lam going to strike out the top line. If I were an orator I would not hesitate to address the peopie of Masterton on the question. 1 could tell them, on the one hand, of tragedies caused by <3rink — tragedies which I have witnessed during the past year—and on the other hand of the beneficial effects of No-License—facts which would make any intelligent person pause before voting for the continuance of the open bar.

us should ever have held the opinion that the open bar, with its Debasing Influences should be essential to the prosperity of any town. If the liquor bars were closed, we should have a more sober community, and there would be more available cash for expenditure on the necessaries of life. No one would be likely to buy less food, clothing, etc., just because the bars were closed, and there were not facilities for some men, when they came into town, to degrade themselves.

"Make any use you like of what I have said; publish it in the papers if you think it will influence voters in the right direction," said Mr Hessey, in response to a suggestion that he ought to give the community the benefit of his own observations and enquiries in No-License electorates, more particularly as there were paid advocates at work trying to deceive electors with stories about the alleged failure of this reform.

"I have always "Favoured Moderation,"

continued Mr Hessey, "but I can see now that I have been in the wrong,' and I to admit it, 1 am,' as you know, a member of the Licensing Committee, but I should not allow myself to be nominated

again."

"As for myself," he continued, "after witnessing such terrible drink tragedies as I have, I would not Have it on my Conscience that I had voted for the continuance of such a trade. I am going to do what I can in this direction to better the condition of my fellow men." Mr Hessey also spoke of the habit of "shouting." After being some tim 3 in No-License districts, he said, the idea of it was distasteful. It seemed so foolish that men who met in social or business relationship should want to adjourn to an hotel to "have a taste." People would appreciate the closing of the bars for this reason alone, once the habit died out."

What has happened, that your views question should cnange so completely? queried the person tojwhom Mr Hessey was conversing.

"But there are other and more cogent reasons why I am going to vote No-License," continued Mr Hessey. "I have seen enough of Drink's evil results to touch the heart of any man who has a spark of humanity in his composition. During the past year no less than three men who were employed by the Masterton Dredging Company, whose interests I am looking after, have met violent deaths (the details of which are sickening) through. Drink. All three were

"It is[the result of my own observation in No-License electorates," was the reply. "One hears so many statements about business suffering when the bars are closed that I decided to make careful enquiries for myself. The result of these enquiries is that been converted from a believer in moderation and regulating the Trade to a firm conviction of the benefit and efficiency of straight-out No-License."

Clever, Capable Men when sober. Ttyjy held responsible positions and received high salaries —five pounds a week —but drink worked their ruin and they died more like-dogs than human beings. In the case of one of the poor fellows, who was found dead in a back yard, in a mutilated condition, I caused proceedings to be taken against a hotelkeeper who had fleeced him of a considerable sum of money during the week previous to his untimely death, The result of the case was a heavy fine and the license endorsed.

Then from the enquiries you have made down South you are prepared to state that in your opinion No-License does not affect business? "If it has any effect on business, it is to improve it. Take Gore as an instance. I have spent more time there than in any other No-License electorate, and can speak with some authority concerning it. Persons who are interested in the Liquor Trade would have us believe that Gore has been stagnant since the operation of No-License—but it is all nonsense. Gore is as

A Word of Advice. "My advice and earnest entreaty to Masterton electors is to vote for No-License," he said. "Even if there should be a temporary reaction after it comes into operation, it will not last long. I am confident the people would never sanction the open bars again, and they would have the satisfaction ot knowing they had done that which was best for the wellbeing of their fellows."

"I do not blame the licensees so much for this kind of thing," said Mr Hessoy. "I blame the monopoly of brewers. No brewer should be allowed to havo any interest whatever in hotel properties. They 'squeeze' tbS licensees to such an extent thai it is impossible for them to make a living by straightforward, legitimate trade. The present system is intolerable, and while I am now a firm believer in No-License, I sider even State or Municipal control would be preferable to neai'ly all the hotels in the country being owned by

Sound artd Progressive

as ever it was, and line new brick buildings ate going up in the business centre. The town is

The fact that Mr Hessey's personal observations and impartial enquiries have resulted in the complete changing of his own views adds considerably to the value of his testimony, which should go a long way towards reassuring any electors who majr have had any doubt or misgivings "as to the probable effect the carrying of No-License might have on thfc business ot the town.

Bright, Clean and Prosperous. •Although I have spent a good deal of time there, I was not going to be satisfied with the result of my own observations, but made enquires from prominent business ffifcn who were best able to judge—men who previously had not favoured NoLicense—and they were compelled to admit that buisness had not