"Wowser" was a negative term for Christian moralists, especially activists in temperance groups such as the the [[Woman's Christian Temperance Union]]. Historian Stuart Macintyre argues, "the achievements of the wowsers were impressive." They passed laws that restricted obscenity and juvenile smoking, raised the age of consent, limited gambling, closed down many pubs, and in 1915-16 established a 6pm closing hour for pubs, which lasted for decades.<ref> Stuart Macintyre, ''The Oxford History of Australia: vol 4: 1901-42'' (2002) p . 112-3</ref> | "Wowser" was a negative term for Christian moralists, especially activists in temperance groups such as the the [[Woman's Christian Temperance Union]]. Historian Stuart Macintyre argues, "the achievements of the wowsers were impressive." They passed laws that restricted obscenity and juvenile smoking, raised the age of consent, limited gambling, closed down many pubs, and in 1915-16 established a 6pm closing hour for pubs, which lasted for decades.<ref> Stuart Macintyre, ''The Oxford History of Australia: vol 4: 1901-42'' (2002) p . 112-3</ref> |