EXTENSION OF LICENSES.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4119, 23 May 1892, Page 3

EXTENSION OF LICENSES.

the Rev, J, IMes Speaks Out, There was a good congregation in the Masterton Wesleyan Church last (Sunday) evening, when the Rev. John Dukes preached an interesting sermon, taking for his text Romans 14-13 : " But, judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way," In the course of his remarks the rev. gentleman said ; The text presents a line of conduct for us at every turn of human life, the mor&U of which lihs not only the authority of inspired Christian precept but the approval of all thnt is kind and gentle, humane and brotherly in roan. This Soripture then has a special application to the matter occupying public attention in Uasterton to-day, and I venture to hope, nay, I nrn sanguino enough to believe, that tbo Licensing Committee will be actual by the spirit pervading Ibis text, lo the question before us, " Will the Licensing Committee accede to the lamest of tho publicans, and grant an Hosion of drinking hours? I answer, No! they will not, (1) Because they will be disinclined to put any further stumbling blooks in (he way of their fellows. Every member of tho committee knows, aye, and none know it bolter than the publicans themselves, that there are not a few men and women in this town to whom drink is an occasion of falling, (2) Because when placed in that responsible position, as a committee, they gave to the ratepayers a solemn pledge that they would honestly regulate the traffic, and do all in their power to euppress drunkenness, (3) To the question before us I reply in the negative because the extension of time will add to their difficulties in the regulation of the traffic. Already ■ thoap difficulties are insurmountable and the Conimiitee know and acknowledge it. (4) The Committeo will not extend the hours, because as sensible men they know that the old stock arguments in its favour do nut justify such a retrograde move they are merely visionary. (5) I touched on tho economical aspeot the'other night, and it only Jniainu for me to supplement what hasalready been snid with thisremark, that as the Committee is composed of men of business, each occupying a commercial stand in tho town, !hey know perfectly well that an extension of the liquor traffic means a further non-payment of just and lawful debts, diminution of other trades, and general commercial embalmment, and it would be simply suicidal nn their part to do that, (6) The Committee will not grant tho extension because in doing so thoy would be going dead against tho clearly expressed will of a majority of the ratepayers and residents of this licensing district. By the Will of a majority of tho rate> payers they occupy that position today, and they are not the type of men to utterly disregard the feelings of their constituency in a matter like this. (I) And lastly they will not lightly incur tho terrible responsibility of increasing the miseries accruing to by any further ex tension of the drink traffic, They will hesitate before they sanction the meanß of further desolating and wrecking the peace and happiness of many homes in this town. There is not a member of that Committee who can approve of a man desolating his home, leaving his wife and children in their loneliness and sorrow night after night until 11 o'clock. There is not a man of them who would like to hear a poor, broken hearted woman, as she points at him say," That man is supporting a 11 o'clock license, and it has been the ruin of my husband and the cause of my sons going astray,' The host of us are conscious ot numberless failings, and but for the mercy of God in Christ we should all be without hope. But let us not go down to the gravo and into tho • eternal world v/ith the tormenting thought rankling in our breasts. " I bwe made it easy for this and that man to fall, for I have put a Btumb* ijng block in bis way." For who shall offend or cause tp stumble pne of thege little qnes tljat believe in me, TSid Christ, "it were better for him that a millstone wero hanged about his neck, and that he wero drowned in the depth ot the sea,' 1