NO-LICENSE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2323, 16 October 1908, Page 3

NO-LICENSE.

MEETING AT PATUTAHI.

A largo. tand enthusiastic mooting was’ held at Patutahi last evening under tho auspices of tho No-liceneo League, when addresses were delivered by tho Rev. W. Grant and Mr. Geo. Darton. Mr. Darton dealt particularly with rthe question. from an economic standpoint, showing tho enormous amount of money being expended annually in drink in tins district, leaving oio beneficial . results behind. The uvorkor on his present wages could not afford, claimed tho speaker, to spend on drink the amount that is now being spent -without causing industrial poverty. Ho contended that poverty followed drink, not vice versa, and the enormous drink hill of Gisborne was attributable to the increasing prosperity. The speaker claimed that drink caused an economic waste in the production of wealth, and was responsible for a great deal of the wealth produced being squandered. By drink man’s period of usefulness was greatly curtailed, and the burden on the State was greatly increased. The speaker concluded his address with an appeal for support of the no-license reform. , „ , , Tho Rev. W. Grant followed, and referred to tho effect of drink on the moral character of man. The first step towards reform was pure thought and drink acted as a block to thought of a higher order. The misery and 'degradation caused [by drink was enormous, and by no-license the main cause of poverty and crime would be removed. People under no-license were happier and more comfortable land the speaker -asked all to assist to save many poor wretches who were, not strong enough to sa.ve themselves. Remove the temptation and you remove the misery -from many a home. At the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was passed to both speakers for their addresses.