DRINK SUNDAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2348, 14 November 1908, Page 6

DRINK SUNDAY.

W- iA HEAD, CHEAP FARES, AND PLENTIFUL RATIONS.

HOW THE BIG BREWERS’ PRO CESSION IN LONDON WAS ORGANISED.

A recent cablegram from London referred to a large, profession organised in London to protest against the Licensing Bill at present before the British Parliament, and the London “Daily News” of September 24 published the following interesting particulars of the method in which it was organised: — ‘ Brewers are slid busy sending out circulars and letters broadcast commanding, in very florid ’.angauge, all and sundry who do business with them to be present with their employees in Hyde Park on Sunday. Tradesmen in a small or large way, who are connected nearly or remotely with the brewery firms, and who are dependent upon the latter to any extent for business, daily receive communications, which are so worded that the tradesman, reading between the lines, realises that if he- does not comply with the request and his noncompliance becomes known there is a probability of a'.l business, connection between the circularising •firm and himself being cut off after Sunday next. The persistence with which these letters are sent is reminiscent of the methods of the American patent pill vendor. It could hardly be expected that the occasion would be allowed to pass without the methods for which the Trade is famous being adopted to swell the throng of processionists. The public arc not unfamiliar with the paying of demonstrators —there was, for example-, a. gathering of socalled hoppers who received money to march to Trafalgar-square thi; summer. A modification of such tactics is being adopted by a certain brewery in a district in North I,ondon, not far from -Kilburn. The enterprising proprietor of this concern is arranging a little- -diversion on his own -account, and is engaging a number of the unemployed to inarch on Sunday to Hyde Park. The sum of 4s. has been promised each man, and the distinctive feature of the display will be that the marchers are to be in costume. Every man will wear a red cap and a white smock, the idea being to .illustrate- what a great displacement- of labor will take place il the Licensing Bill should passNeedless to say there is no lack of -applicants willing to take part in this side show. Four shillings and a new coat and cap are not to be despised—especially by the unemployed. The following correspondence also appeared on the subject: — [To the Editor.]

Sir, —The following advertisement appeared in a Lancashire paper on the 12 th inst. :

LONDON, Sept. 27.—Two days, meals, bed, two drives, admission to Exhibition, conveyance to station,

15 s . inclusive. —Programmes. Last Saturday it appeared as follows. LONDON, Sept. 27th. —Two days, meals, bed, two drives, admission to Exhibition, conveyance to station, 15s. inclusive. Substantial meat teas provided after the meeting at a small charge. Private landaus to hold five persons may he booked at 20s. each. All bookings close on Thursday, 24th. —Particulars, People are asking, Substantial meat teas after what meeting? Ordinarily 15s. is reckoned as an extraordinary cheap rate for railway fare alone, for one day only, from the town in question, but here intending excursionists are having two days, meals, bed, two drives, admission to exhibition, conveyance to station, all thrown in gratis, and teas “after the meeting” at a small charge. Aftcf what meeting ? No particular meeting is mentioned in the advertisement. But —here it is. A great public demonstration is to_ be held in London on September 27th in opposition to the Government’s Licensing Bill! It :is to be- a free, open, popular ..demonstration against the Bill! No bribery ! No corruption ! Everyone who attends is to be allowed to express his or her opinion openly against or in favor of the Bill. But — another but —I learn that those persons who arc allowed to take advantage of the cheap trip advertised above have to undertake to walk in the procession organised by the liquor trade, to vote against the Bill at “the meeting” (after which tea is to be provided at a small charge), and to sign a petition against the Bill! T hope the Government will remember this when they receive a “gigantic petition against the bill.” —Tours, etc., A LANCASHIRE LAD. [To the Editor.l Sir, —As a Blackburn eihzen, I take the opportunity of informing the citizens of London that there will be. contingents from this district of the brewers’ employees to London on Sunday to take part in that huge subsidised procession organized by the “trade” to p rot erst against the Government’s- Licensing Bill. Let it be known that in that procession there will be those who are identified with temperance organizations, and, of course, strong supporters of the Bill, but, living in fear of losing their employment if they fail to respond to the invitation, they have yielded to the call. The employees attending the demonstration will be paid their railway fares, refreshments en route, and ss. pocket money.— Yours, etc.. JUSTICE. Blackburn, Sept. 22.