Temperance Literature

The first temperance periodical in the south was The Liberator, published in Dunedin in 1874, Mr. W. Hooper, editor.

In 1876, The Liberator was merged into The New Zealand Temperance Times. Of this, the original directors were John A. D. Adams, D. C. page 46 Cameron, H. Smythies, Jnr., W. Hooper (editor), W. Carr, J. Dick, W. McEchern, R. N. Adams, secretary.

The Temperance Herald was published on March 9, 1878, editor—J. W. Jago, manager—D. C. Cameron. This continued publication until September, 1891, when it was incorporated with and succeeded by The Prohibitionist. In addition to the journals especially devoted to temperance advocacy, there were religious papers that gave it prominence. Such was the Christian Record, that was also published in Dunedin. Such, too, was The New Zealand Wesleyan, published in Christchurch in 1871, the predecessor of The New Zealand Methodist, later known as The Advocate, and still later as The New Zealand Methodist Times. Such also was The New Zealand Primitive Methodist.

It may be said of the editors of all these papers that they have not failed to keep the flag flying in the interests of temperance reform. Notably too, was it the case with the Outlook, the organ of the Presbyterian Church, which, under the able editorship of the Rev. Dr. Waddell, was a burning and a shining light on the pathway of temperance progress. The War Cry of the Salvation Army began in 1882, the fusillade against the drink evil which it has kept up ever since.

It cannot be said that the newspaper press in those earlier years, any more than in later years, proved a factor in temperance education, otherwise than by admitting discussion concerning it in the correspondence columns. What gains have been made in temperance progress have been in the teeth, for the most part, of newspaper opposition. There were, however, some honourable exceptions that are worthy of mention. Mr. Gilbert Carson, page 47 an early Auckland stalwart, was not slow to affirm his temperance principles when he became proprietor of The Wanganui Chronicle. Mr. George Jones consistently used the Oamarti Mail in the cultivation of temperance sentiment, and that to an extent which, in later years, proved a valuable factor in making Oamaru a No-Licence electorate. Commendation is also due to the memory of Mr. John Stallworthy of Dargaville, whose paper, The Wairoa Bell, gave no uncertain lead in the fight against the liquor trade.