A PROHIBITIONIST'S APPEAL
DOWNING STREET REPLY. In the despatches from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of New Zealand for the second session of 1912 appears the following : Downing Street, September, 1911. My Lord, — I have the honour to transmit to you a copy of a letter addressed to his Majesty the King by Mr G. B. Nicholls, organising secretary, United Temperance Reform Council, Dunedin, on the subject of a vote which lie states is to' be taken in New Zealand upon the question of alcoholic prohibition. I request that you Avill cause Mr XichoHs to be informed that his letter has been laid before his Majesty, vvlio was not pleased to give any directions with respect to it.—l have, etc., L. HARCOURT. Governor the Right 'Hon Lord Is- ! lington, K.C.M.G., D.5.0., etc. Enclosure. United Temperance Reform Omnioil. 14, Empire Buildings, Princes Street, Dunedin, New Zealand, July 19th, 1911. Your Imperial Majesty,— New Zealand, from which I write, is just now on the verge of a momentous decision. In November or December next a vote is to be taken upon the question not only of local option, but of the absolute prohibition of the importation and use of alcoholic liquors except under doctor's orders as a medicine. As New Zealand is one thousand two hundred miles from the nearest outside source of supply of these liquors, it should bo easy to prevent smuggling, and thus give what the world lias long required—i.e., an efficient demonstration of a Christian, | highly-civilised, law-abiding country, j also absolutely free from the alcoholdrinking habit. I feel, your Majesty, that this is an occasion of such importance that it should bo brought to your notice. I am also encouraged by the fact that it ha,s been reported that you expressed pleasure at the freedom of Labrador from crime and disorder owing to prohibition, and that you are a patron cf the Royal Army Temperance Association; to hope that you may possibly see your way to wish the temperance forces of New Zealand well in this battle. The attitude of the Crown ' Prince of Sweden and the Kaiser of Germany upon this matter is, of • ourso. familiar to you. and we believe that, unless great Britain herself keeps pace with the increasing sobriety of other nations she will be handicapped and outclassed. With New Zealand as a beaconlight showing rtho way out of the J alcoholic bog, it is possible that the rest of the Empire may also soon emerge from ilieir present slough of {ifsDond in the matter. i To cari - v national ,i. vote of 60 nor cent. of .those who go to the poll 'must be oast in favour cf the proposition. If carried, "the trade", lias four years' notice to quitThat yon may f*vo your wnv : |o rind vour loval subjects who fin'ht this the greatest- foe vour Empire has to fear some word of encouragement in their uoliill stuff 10 is the prayer of vour humble petitioner. GEO. B. NTCHOLT-S. King Goorco V., London, England.
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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10694, 15 August 1912, Page 7
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507A PROHIBITIONIST'S APPEAL Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10694, 15 August 1912, Page 7
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