NO-LICENSE LEAGUE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2577, 4 February 1910, Page 7

NO-LICENSE LEAGUE.

WELCOME. TO NEW ORGANISER

A social • gathering of members of the No-License League and sympathisers of the movement was held in ft. Andrew’s Schoolroom last night to welcome the new organiser, Mr. J. Aneurin Jones. Mr. Andrew Graham presided, and with him on the platform were the Revs. J. A. Loehore, W. Lamb, and W. Grant and Mr. Jones. r lhe proceedings opened witlr devotional exorcises, prayer being offered by the Rev J. A. Loehore. The Chairman apologised for t’ e ‘*l'sece of the President of the JLeagie (Rev. F. W. Chatterton), whom, lie characterised as one of the best known workers for the No-License cause throughout the Dominion. The gathering, he explained, was one of the most earnest workers to welcome their new' organiser, and to inaugurate a campaign in connection with the next election. One of the principal causes of failure was the vanity and unfaithfulness of those who- were taking part in it. and if they put themselves and their personal feelings before the cause they would meet with, nothing but failure. What they wanted to do was to forget themselves entirely and put' their (shoulders to the wheel in a mighty endeavor to carry no-license- at next election. In conclusion, the Chairman, asked the kindest judgment and indulgence from the. people for the new organiser in the event of his not at first falling in with their ideas of what an organiser should be. Mr. Jones had distinctive qualifications by reason of his work in the Old Country, but unless aii organiser had the support of enthusiastic workers he could not hope for. that success which they all hoped to attain. The Rev. W. Lamb said that since last election the members of the League had felt that- the defeat had been due to want of organisation, and for months and months they had to bo •without tlie services of an organiser of skill and ability. This need had been keenly felt, and very earnest efforts had since been made to obtain a suitable mail. Many applications had been received, but the only one which- appealed to the League as a body was Mr. Jones, of whose, work they had magnificent reports. In consequence Mr Jones had been appointed for three months with a view to a permanent engagement. He felt that Mr. Jones was just the man for the position, and that, in the great fight, he would be able to render the League, great service. They must not, however, look to Mr. Jones .to carry the day for them, unless he had the sympathetic co-operation of all the workers. Concluding, Mr. Lamb said that the workers were just- about as full of optimism as they had ever been, and if a little more enthusiasm wore shown lie had no doubt they would be able to compel Parliament to hear the voice of NoLicense throughout the Dominion, and then if they did not get bare majority legislation they would get something very near to it. They were going in to win, and, in his opinion, they were closer than ever to victory. He •welcomed Mr. Jones, and trusted that he (Mr. Jones) would soon find that he was surrounded by an enthusiastic and willing band of workers. The Rev. W. Grant also extended a hearty wmlcome to Air. Jones. He concurred with the view of the speakers that, a great' deal depended upon the temperance workers. He felt that victory was within their grasp, but they must not be too optimistic, nor should they underestimate the strength of their opponents, who had a mighty organisation, and worked secretly, not declaring openly what they were going to do and how they were going to do it. The fight could only be won by 'lnu'd work, and then when it was won it would be a real victory for the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Miss Moody Bell, until recently recording secretary of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, also addressed the meeting. She expressed her pleasure that the W.C.T.U. was represented at the gathering, and emphasised the tremendous influence of the women’s vote in the cause of NoLicense. The women of New Zealand had not properly awakened to a sense of their privileges and tlicir responsibilities to themselves, their fellows, and to the. Almighty. She would urge upon all the women to use their vote in the cause of right, and the day must come when the Lord Jesus Christ would rule, and they knew what that must mean, to the drink traffic and every form of evil. The Rev. J. A. Loehore said that in common with the other sympathisers and workers he wished to welcome Mr. Jones, and assure him of his (the speaker’s) personal help in his great work. While regarding Mr. Jones as one of their leaders and great workers, they must not forget to he in the midst of the work with him. He was, he. claimed, fairly optimistic, but lie did not feel that, with the three-fifths handicap. success was assured, although he was quite satisfied that a large number of people in tliis district were convertible. Air. Jones had an enormous task in front of him, and he hoped that an enormous body of workers would rally round Mr. Jones. The new organiser had impressed him as being a most suitable man for the work, to help them to drive out the awful curse of drink that was blighting this beautiful land, but once flic drink evil was swept away other evils would necessarily follow.

Mr. Jones, who was cordially received, remarked that the basic element of the No-License movement in Gisborne api eared to he very strong, and he was greatly cheered by what he had heard and seen. Ho had not come amongst them to work miracles, and he was glad to feel that ho would have the sympathy and support of the workers. Not alone was the sympathy wanted, but work, solid work, and he was impressed with the fact that, the cleanliness of the Dominion would keep people from recognising the awful curse of drink. In England they know what that curse was, and God forbid that New Zealand would ever see the curse as it was in England. No one interested in the progress of the; Dominion could keep idle in the matter of driving out the devil of liquor. He realised that he could not do the work in Gisborne by himself. He was here for hard work, and wanted work from others as well, and in addition his plans were not to he altered by .anyone who wished to do so, although be was always ready to accept suggestions. They must be of one mind, and hare one aim, and nothing but victory was in front of them if they would only put their shoulders to the wheel and work together. His prayer was that all present would be

excellent and successful workers in the great cause of No-License. During the evening several No-Li-cense hymns were sung, and solos were contiibuted by Mi;. J. East and the Rev. W. Lamb. At the conclusion, refreshments were handed round, and a slurt meeting of the Advisory Com-_ mittee was held to consult with Mr. Jones.