THE PROHIBITION VICTORY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3807, 11 May 1891, Page 2

THE PROHIBITION VICTORY.

Tha Oamaru Mail writes as follow e on the victory of the Temperanc e party The scene presented oi 0 Monday night, consequent on th ® declaration of the result of tbi B Licensing Committee election, tbrev 3 into the shade all previous electior 1 proceedings in this community o 3 whatever kind. The announcemenl < of the poll was the signal for lusty " cheers from a surging crowd who hac \ waited with extraordinary pafciencf 5 to know how the day s peaceful > struggle had ended. Then there was £ a rush for the hall, the cry "Prohihi- ' tion ! Prohibition!" ringing forth on ' every side as the crowd rushed thither, some running at the top of theii , speed. Then there was the enthusi- > asm of the great assemblage in the building, which really knew no ; bounds ; the singing and the praying, ' the vigorous addresses, and the signing of the pledge at the close. Surely all this abormal excitement was not : for nothing. We say that it was an indubitable evidence of a revulsion of public feeling in regard to the publichouse system and the traffic in intoxicants; aud that if women had been entitled to vote, as they should have been, for the matter at issue was one that seriously affected them, the verdict would have been given with crushing force As it was, however, the moral influence of the women of this uommuuity was the most potent element in the promotion of the result of Monday, s flection, which means the drink traffic as it exists and has existed in this town far too long, is to be revolutionised on the side of social advantage. Those from whom this fiat has gone forth have shaken themselves free from old prejudices and acted with manly courage. It is always critical to interfere with long established national customs, and those who have held back from sanctioning the reform favoured by the Prohibitionists are not to be blamed. Humanity is just as diverse in its opinions as it is in temperament | and, besides, men cften mistake that for right which contributes to their own personal advantage, and one often requires a helping hand to get out of the old ruts cut by custom and tradition. It would be arbitrary and cruel to attribute a vicious intention to opponents of ieforms.