LAND MONOPOLY AND DRINK CURSE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3139, 8 February 1911, Page 4

LAND MONOPOLY AND DRINK CURSE

DEBATE AT THE MASOXK HALL. “Which is toe greater evil: Land monopoly or the drink curse? ' This was the subject oi a reply debate between members of the Gisborne ’lent, T.0.R.. and the G'shruuie branch oi the Labor Party, at the Masonic Hall last tveiling. Mr. J. R. Kirk piedded. and there was a good attendance. Messrs 0. Barton and T. Jackson represi nted the Gisborne Tent, and Mtssrs A. Withv. P. CL Andrew, and A. Richards ih ■ Lad r Party. Mr. •!. A. Jones was nls i t i have spoken on behalf of the Gis! orue Tent but he was unable to be present. Mr. Withv. the leader of the d: bate on behalf < f the Lab. r Partv. held that land monopoly was by far the nter of the two evils, and bn light the people to even greater p 'veviy than slavery. Thom wlm owned the land, Ira said, owned the people, and as long as people kept pouring the money into the laps •••■ the land monopolists. p.ivertv would be with them. Ho in H a nr-: d the slums as an example of what land monopoly would do. li they .solved the problem of land monopaiv oilier reforms would follow. Mr. CL Barton claimed that drink was bv lar the greater evil. It brought about serial degradation and moral decadence. They knew of their own knowledge the number <4 crimes committed as the lrsnlt of drink, but they e-mln not sav ill it land monopoly caused ovihw. Brink was und uddedly the greater evil. ATt tln> otlier sneakers had expressed tiieir opinions, a v to was taken on tim question, the mainitv oi those pro-, cut upholding the enutention oi Messrs Darren ami Jackson.