I didn't drink because I liked the taste, but because of the great feeling it gave me, and later I realised that it had a hold on me. I went wandering and spent my time drinking. I met and married a girl, bringing her home here with me. For quite a while after this I didn't drink. When the children grew older, our problems grew larger. I found it easier to return to my “crutch”, the bottle. And now, I was really sick.

‘Days, weeks, months and years rolled into one terrible nightmare. When I finally came to my senses, I had spent all my money, my wife had left me, and worst of all, my child had died. Today, well, I am a sober man. For six years I have been “dry”. My wife came back to me. She is my stabilising influence. I know I will never touch beer or other alcohol as long as I live.’

Other statements were made as follows:

By the Ministers and representatives of the various churches present: they are greatly concerned with the people suffering with this disease. They will never say, ‘Go away, you are a drunkard’. Rather, they will say, ‘Come, and I will lead you to God’.

So, friends and relatives, I am not telling you that you should not drink at all. My plea is, drink in moderation, lest you and I and all our Maori people be affected by this disease.