The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1875-02-20
[From The Daily Echo. Auckland, N. Z Jar.
Good Templars' Welcome to P. W. R. G..
T HASTINGS

As We have already stated, the above gentleman
has come from America on important business con-
nected with Good TemPlary, and the members Of
that Institution resident in Auckland resolved on &c
eording him a public welcome, which came of last
evening 10 the City Hall. The building was crowded
with Good Templars and many beyond their pale,
and the visitor was most warmly received.
Proceedings were opened by the band playing
The Good T~emplars' Battle Cry" after which Mr..
Battley offered up n prayer.
The Rev. Mr.. Edger. who occupied the chair. gave
n most interesting history Of the rise and progress Of
Good Tenplarism IN Auckland, stating that a year
ago il included within its ranks 1900, but now
about 5000 members. With the smaller number
there we're far fewer relapses-about five per cent;
but recently he regretted TO find that fully twenty
Eve per cent, had fallen away. lie complained Of
the Indifference Of the clergy, interested opposition
in influential quarters, laxity Of members aud other
things that he thought initiated against the cause,
and on which Brother Hastings advice would be
valuable. He thought, too. that the Bench and Bar
did not fairly interpret the Acts for the suppression
Of excessive drinking that had been passed. He
concluded by bidding Bro. Hastings, in the name Of
the Auckland Good T~emplars, a hearty welcome,
(Great cheering-)
The Hon. s. d. Hastings then came forward, and an
address was presented 10 him from the Maori Good
Templars, translated by Baron d. Thierry, and which
be received with evident pleasure. In returning
thanks for the welcome be said that though he had
stood before audiences Of 5000 persons in the
large towns Of Great Britain, he never expert
enced greater pleasure than he did that night. His
AnAElNGG III AZ gA1N u ~ AAL AVAHN
him amongst them nine thousand miles from his
home, and he conveyed to them greetings from
the Grand Lodges Of America, Europe, China,
Africa, Japan and India. He gave particulars Of
the passage Of the Mississippi Liquor Law
and its provisions, and also produced n picture
Of n splendid Drainage erected in California by
the Good TemPlars at a cost Of 5000 dollars.
He referred to the vast influence aud power than the
Order was rapidly gaining, attributable wholly to
the soundness Of its principles. lie concluded an
eloquent and convincing speech as follows Il hope
that q brighter day for our Order aud the cause Of
temperance is about to dawn in your province and in
your island. ] have the greatest confidence in the
Good Templars Of Auckland. There is power in the
men and women before me now. The great curse OF
your land, as Of my own land, is this internal liquor
traffic. and this is what you are banded together to
destroy, and / am satisfied, brothers and sisters, that
IL can be done. am satisfied that we can annihilate
this traffic in the United States. and We mean to do
it. By the development of the past few years we
have got the prohibitory law in a number Of States,
and We mean to have it in every State in the Union.
The facts that / have presented to you Of the check
Of public sentiment IN Ohio and a great many other
instances Of the same shew that We are making great
progress. | do not believe this liquor traffic is for
ever TO curse my country; l do not believe ii IS
for ever to curse your country. My brothers and
sisters. If you could only annihilaie the liquor traffic
in New Zealand, you would have one of the finest
countries on the face Of the globe IL Is doing you
more harm than anything else, l believe than every
thing else. II you could shake oil this incubus, and
free yourself from this dreadful thing you would
be most prosperous and happy. L shall carry this
document (the one from the MaOris) home with me,
and shall treasure IL. To receive such n document IS
4 matter Of deep interest to me, aud / hope to have
an opportunity Of cOnversing with the natives per-
sonaly. I shall esteem il a very great privilege TO
do so. In thanking you MIR. Chairman and brothers
and sisters for the kind and cordial reception you
have given me / have slso to thank you for the pa
thence with which you have listened TO my uncolleeted
remarks tonight. The speaker took his seat amidst
loud cheering. After several other gentlemen had
spoken, and Bro. Power. l. D., Of the Tararu Lodge,
had welcomed Bro. Hastings, the proceedings termi-
mated.