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Story: Referendums

'Brewer Rabbit' and the prohibitionist hounds

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'Brewer Rabbit' and the prohibitionist hounds

This cartoon shows 'Brewer Rabbit' running into the 'continuance' hole, pursued by dogs representing New Zealand's 'dry' electorates. While Brewer Rabbit is in a beer barrel, his pursuers wear water pumps and teapots, symbols of the temperance movement. The cartoon dates from the 1910s, when the prohibition vote was strong and growing. Between 1894 and 1908, 12 electorates voted for no-licence and went 'dry'. They included Eden, Ohinemuri, Wellington Suburbs, Masterton and Grey Lynn, all shown in pursuit of Brewer Rabbit.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: C-109-008

by Trevor Lloyd

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Nigel Roberts, Referendums – Prohibition referendums, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/cartoon/36948/brewer-rabbit-and-the-prohibitionist-hounds (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Nigel Roberts, published 12 June 2012, updated 1 December 2020.