NO-LICENSE RALLY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2354, 21 November 1908, Page 5

NO-LICENSE RALLY.

FAREWELL TO MR. A. J. BLACK

AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING

There avus a large audience in lli s Majesty’s Theatre last night on the occasion of the No-license rally, which took the form of a farewell social to Mr. A. J. Black, avlio leaves for Auckland in the morning. Rca - . W. Lamb occupied the chair, and the proceedings were opened by the singing of the tin? Doxology, and then the siiiging of “The City Foursquare.” Afr.~ AndreAV Graham avus then called upon to moA'e the lolloAA’ing resolution :

“That this meeting desires to record its hearty appreciation of the splendid seiwices' rendered by the ‘Gisborne Times’ neAVspaper for its fearless and straightforward attitude in connection Avitli the recent local option poll, and for so fairly, clearly, and forcibly placing before the public the actual existing position under License and the real issues at stake as between License and No-license.”

In doing so, Mr. Graham said that lie had no doubt every person in the loom ivould be in sympathy and accord with the resolution. Any person who took an interest- in the struggle could not help being impressed with tlic attitude the “Times’-’ had taken up, and it was refreshing to find a paper taking up such an attitude, and placing the issue so clearly and straightforwardly before tlic people. Most of the newspapers in .the Dominion followed public opinion (and some of them a long way off) but the “Times” had taken a strong part in leading public opinion in this district, and liad been perfectly fearless in tlie matter of exposing anything that wanted exposing. (Applause.) The fact that the press oi : the Dominion were going almost solidly in favor of the remedy of No-license was a great thing in its favor. It redounded to the- credit of the “Times” that it had given the facts fairly and freely, and had opened the correspondence columns to both sides, at the same time making it clear that the moral well-being of the community was far above any monetary consideration, and showing that no serious defects followed in the wake of No-license. The No-license party were in a strong majority in this district, and they should remember the attitude of the “Times” and support the paper. (Applause.) He did not reflect in any degree on any other paper, but thought the time had come when they could support two papers, and bo con-, side-red that, as in Parliament, a tremendous amount of good could be done by a good, strong, and healthy Opposition. (Applause.) . Mr. H. Bruce having seconded the motion. Rev. AV. Lamb said that the resolution wa.s one that must appeal forcibly to them. The attitude that the “Times” had taken up was one that- had cost the company a considerable sum of money, and when a paper was prepared to do this, it was evidence of something solid behind it. One feature of -the contest was that the “Times” bad published correspondence on the subject lice ot charge, while tlie other papei . had done so- at the- rate of 3s pei inch. H e hoped that, tlio directorate ot the “Times” would thoroughly appreciate the spirit of the resolution. (ApPl The motion, on being put to'tlio meeting, was carried amidst accaairiaAt this stage the Chairman read the following telegram from Rev. F. AV. Ohattortonr who is at present on a trip South : “Napier, Nov. 20. A\ ish you enthusiastic gathering to s mght. Fight on for truth and liberty. _A' ictory certain though delavcd.—.Cnalterton ” The reading of the message was received with enthusiastic apChairman then gave a short address, drawing attention to the tremendous progress of the No-licens© movement throughout the Dominion, and referred to the earlier days ot the temperance movement, mentioning the names of the well-known advo-

cates J. B. Goflgh and R. T. Booth, avlio, Tie said, were only able to ask pebple to sign a total abstinence pledge. They of the present day were able to go further, and he would ask them to remember that as a result of the recent poll over 20,000. A'otes iiad been added to the No-license vote of the Dominion and 150 bars AA r ould be closed. (Applause.) In this district they had had an apparent set-back, and tho question had repeatedly been asked, “How do you account lor it?” Well, he could say that there were several reasons that they knew oi, but he AA'ould not like to state them in public. One'thing he was sure of, hoAveA r cr, was that no persoiu Avho had voted for No-license regretted doing so, Avhile lie Avas equally sure tliat many avlio had voted (oontinuanlce would lia'e to regret it. (Applause.) Mr. Lamb concluded his address by paying a glowing tribute to the worth of the No-licenso workers of the district. The folloAving resolution avus then read by the chairman : “That this meeting desires to assure the Rea'. Mr. Chatterton of its entire sympathy Avith him in the unwarrantable and atisloading ncwspaper correspondence of the last few Aveeks, and of its perfect confidence in and appreciation of his devoted services ns President of the No-licenso League. „Mr. F. Stafford, in moving the resolution, said that it had afforded him much pleasure to haA r o been associated avith Mr. Chatterton in their great Avork, and that those avho know tho gentleman best loved him the most. (Applause.) Rev. Mr. Chatterton Avas one of the finest Christian gentlemen lie had ever met, and be was sure that when <a man of such truth, honor, and integrity avas basely slandered, it, must hurt bun very much, and his opponents had wilfully gone out of their Avay to bring discredit on _a good and Godly man. (Applause.) Mr. Stafford referred to the controversy over the Invercargill returns, and said that be felt sure that all the people felt Avith him for their leader, in whom they had such miAvavcring confidence. (Applause.) Mr. Andrew Graham seconded the motion, and also claimed that Mr. Chattel-ton's figures had been proved to be correct, and said that care Avould be taken Avben the excitement of the election liad died doAvn, to have the issue clearly put before the public. Bev. Mr. Chatterton bad. by the manner in which lie h id conducted the campaign, .Avon the devoted admiration of all. (Applause.) The .next item on the programme was a solo bv the Rev. W. Lamb, the new setting of “Stand up, stand mi for Jesus.” Tho large audience joined in tho chorus, and the singei was encored for his solo. Rev. Win. Grant proposed, and Bca'. C. Griffin seconded, a resolution expressing appreciation of the ser vices rendered by the members of the W.C.T.U. and other ladies during the campaign. .Both speakers were most, eulogistic in their remarks, and the resolution was carried avith acclamation. • The chairman paid a tribute to the elorgvmen of the Church of England for co-operation during the campaign, ft was, ho said, easy for a Baptist minister to get up on such a. subject, hut the attitude of the vicar of Holy Trim’tv Church had cost him a good deal, and lie (the speaker) appreciated the rare courage avliich had characterised the Avork of the Rea r . L. Daavson' Thomas. Mr. A. J. Black avas received with loud applause when be rose to speak. He commenced by reading a number of verses handed'up to him, bearing on the campaign, and reciting most feelingly Bracken’s Avell-knoavn poem “Not Understood.” Before doing so, Air. Black referred to the fact of a number of people having had their feelings Avouiuled during the fight by hard tilings Avhicli had been said of them. They were “not understood,”

but, ho was glad to say, were ready to fight again. He stood before thorn with mingled feelings of depression and elation. He had always placed Gisborne first on the list of likely places to carry No-license, but as well he had the pleasure of knowing that the sweets of victory had been tasted and great successes had been won in other places where he had been. Referring to Auckland, Mr. Black said that, he" had always thought it was one V' the last places to carry No-license, .but now he thought it was going to be one. of the first, as at.the recent poll only LOGO more votes would have snfficfed to clear every “pub” out of the City. He referred to the successes gained in the different Auckland electorates, . and said that as a> result of the poll 150 open bars would be shut in New Zealand, and from 24,000 to »0,000 extra votes added for No-license in tlie Dominion. The result of the poll in the northern city was an eloquent testimony to the fact that the workers had been voting the drink curse out. In the centre of the city were to he found: the flotsam and jetsam of the community but outside this there was a most remarkable evidence of the awakening of the people who were going to make New Zealand.' Ho referred to the victories in the south, specially mentioning Ashburton (which had rubbed out six more hotels), Invercargill, Oamaru, and “brave little Bruce.” Hitherto they always had to look to the south for testimony as to the benefits of No-license, but now they had the Ohinemuri electorate, with Waihi as its centre, right at their own doors, and there was every prospect of Hie most magnificent encouragement. Touching on the position locally, Mr. Black urged the need of organisation, and paid u high tribute to the Noli cense workers both men and women throughout' tlio district. He was grateful for the many kindnesses shown to him in Gisborne, and claimed that he had endeavored to fight fair all through. The fight liuu been a clean one from their point of view, and ho only wished that tho other sido could utter the. same words. It he came back to Gisborne ho hoped to bo a more powerful advocate of the movement, 'and was confident that when ho did come back he would find behind the movement three years', of organisation, which .would place them in the happy position of being able to claim victory thrice sweet because three years delayed. (Loud applause.) At the conclusion of his address, Mr. Black was presented with two large bouquets of roses, and while refreshments were being handed •round he sang the .song “Pearly Gates.” The Te Ran College students contributed a couple of choruses in Maori, -'and' tho singing by the audience of the No-license song ‘ It s Coming,” brought the mooting to a close.