Fight the Good Fight

Tom Quayle bought back old style temperance rallies and the symbol of the prohibition movement — the pledge — a written promise never to drink alcohol.

– Narrator John Keir

Far greater harm is in the disruption caused in society through inebriates, brawls, noise, and the breaking up of the family unit when they spend the evenings in these taverns instead of their homes.

– A member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union on the harm done by keeping hotel bars and taverns open, versus partly closing them

At one time, nearly 50% of voters wanted prohibition, but since the 1930s, support for the temperance cause has been diminishing. That’s changing. In 1972, 14% of New Zealanders wanted prohibition. It rose to 15% in 1975, but then it jumped dramatically to nearly 23% in 1978 — the highest for many years.

– Narrator John Keir

So as you know, I am just totally opposed to that idea. And I don’t write the headlines, I just talk to the newspapers. But I am totally opposed to that.

– Michael Fowler makes his stance against Tom Quayle's ideas known to him

I don’t agree with the architecture of this building. I think it’s a terrific waste of space.

– Tom Quayle during a visit to Parliament

There are 50,000 alcoholics in New Zealand and twice that number of people are classed as problem drinkers. The Temperance Movement quotes 'alcoholism is costing New Zealand 500 million dollars every year. It accounts for 80% of all crimes of violence or dishonesty, half the fatal road accidents, and 40% of broken marriages'.

– Narrator John Keir

In Auckland, he [Quayle] criticised the drinking habits of members of parliament. He said he believed the 'standard of debate would improve immeasurably if MPs spent less time drinking in Bellamys'.

– Narrator John Keir quotes Tom Quayle criticising MPs for drinking at Bellamys (the parliamentary bar)

...I’d like to see what some of these other fellows have done. I don’t really know why they should get involved in immoralising. Dove-Myer Robinson, I’ve had many a drink with him. Hamish Hay — I’ve put away a few with him — in Moscow I might say.

– Wellington mayor Michael Fowler expresses surprise that other mayors he’s shared drinks with support the partial closure of hotel bars and taverns

A new form of pledge. A pledge written in 1979. As a small boy of nine or ten, I was faced with this challenge at the Hataitai Methodist Church in Wellington. But let me testify, to every one of you tonight, that this was one of the decisions in my life that I have never, ever regretted, and I praise God that he has given me the strength and the courage on many, many occasions, to stand by my promise — to honour my pledge.

– NZ Temperance Alliance President Tom Quayle at a temperance rally in Dunedin, recalls his pledge to abstain from alcohol