DUNEDIN HIBERNIAN SOCIAL CLUB

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 45, 25 November 1925, Page 27

DUNEDIN HIBERNIAN SOCIAL CLUB

The other week the club-rooms re-echoed 2' with the oratory and enthusiasm of electionVeering, the occasion being a debate on the liquor controversy. Messrs. J. N. Smith and A. J. Dowling, as leader and seconder respectively for the affirmative, logically justified the right of the majority to eradicate altogether demoralising, influences in the community, and stated that the degradations of drink and the exploitations of the “trade” were such as to demand the interference of the people of New Zealand. They held that there was- not the scope in New Zealand for American violations even if true. The champions of the trade (Messrs. J. J. Marlow, jun, and A. Gillick) admitted the evils of liquor and that reform was necessary, but could not agree with the morality of the alleged right to prohibit, nor the contention that prohibition in operation would be successful. The weight of, evidence regarding America, according to them, was against the success of the principle, as also in Sweden and other countries. . The difficulties of enforcement were as great in New Zealand. The chairman (Mr. F. Moloney), although declining to adjudicate on the merits of the debate, expressed his opinion that morally prohibition was not justifiable nor was it the remedy for the present social evil. The meeting was well supported by club members, some of whom also expressed their opinions. . At the conclusion Mr. Smith proposed a / hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, which was carried by acclamation.