TESTIMONIES FOR NO-LICENSE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10438, 2 October 1911, Page 6

TESTIMONIES FOR NO-LICENSE.

NO. 1. BRUCE

At the close of a crowded meeting i held at Milton on Thursday, August | 24th, presided over by theiSlayor, Mr ' C. Kink/' when Mrs Barton gave one of her most .stirring addresses, the Rev. A. Reader moved the following resolution, which was seconded by the Rev. G. Miller:— "This public meeting held at Milton desires to affirm its great faction with the result of No-Li-cense in this electorate. There is no evidence that sly-grog selling is carried on to any extent since NoLicense came into force, nor is there any evidence that drink is now kept in houses where drink was not kept in licensed days. From what we hear and see in Bruce electorate, we are confident that many homes have been blessed by the closing of the open bar, and that the result has been entirely beneficial, both to the morals and happiness of the community, and as to assisting in business soundness and prosperity."

The Rev. Mr Rea'der, in speaking to the motion, quoted returns obtained from the clerk of the Magistrate's Court, Milton, showing the business transacted at the local court during the two years proceeding No-License, and the two years under its regime (eliminating those cases in which drink had no connection) as follows:

UNDER LICENSE

Drunkenness 42 Failing to support children 10 Begging and vagrancy 6 Prohibition orders "7 Selling under-proof liquor 2 Breach of prohibition order 2 Assault 3 Forgery 2 Tola! M UNDER NO-LICENSE. Drunkenness • S Failing to support children 3 Breach of prohibition order 2 Unlawfully receiving order for liquor 1 Breach of the peace 2 Sending liquor without notifying the court 4 Forgery 1 Prohibition order 1 Sly-grog celling 5 Total 27 Decrease under No-License of 57 Convictions.

■Mr Reader also read a number of testimonials from prominent business men as to the benefits of No-License, as follows: — "As a resident of this district for many year? I have no hesitation in affirming that under the No-License regime of the last three years, the evils of the liquor traffic have almost entirely disappeared from our midst; drunkenness is practically unknown ; there is no home drinking in houses where it did not formerly exist; a greater comfort and prosperity prevades the district; and lam convinced more than ever that the community can receive nothing but the highest benefit from the abolition of the traffic."—Peter M'Skimming (of P. M'Skimming and Son, Benhar Sanitary Pipe Works.)— Employing about 50 hands. "I have no hesitation in saying that since the advent of No-License in this place, drunkenness is not nearly so prevalent as formerly."—William Duncan (Mayor of Kaitangata). "I hold a very decided opinion that No-License is a distinct success in Kaitangata. Business shows improvement, and there is much less risk of bad debts; the town is more orderly; drunkenness is unknown. Kaitangata is a different place since No-License -was carried. The keg business is triflimr "—fJhns. E. Yates.

"Note.—l have been nine years in business in Kaitangata, and was t : he Mayor for five years."

"No-License has proved the success anticipated in Kaitangata. Street drunkards are now as extinct as the .moa and dodo, -and bad language and ribald talk on pay-night and Saturday are seldom heard. The homes appear more prosperous than in the days of License, and there is comparatively little home drinking."—James Fitzgerald (M.8., F.R.C.S., London. Surgeon to Kaitangata Collieries.) — Advi.