Original Correspondence.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 51, 25 July 1844, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

To rib Editw ef the AmcMaml Chmrnde. Sir, la yoior Jwßmnal ©f the 11 (lb of this month yon pub limbed smwe ©bswrvati®©* span the Total Ab*tao®*)ee Society’* Memorial, lately kid before the Council, against the Repeal of the iMstillkt sm Ondiaance.; and, concurring as Ido, with the prayer of that Memorial, 1 beg that yon will gave insertto the following i©marks upon objecitfow s® its arguments. That “ We cannot forcibly prevent the con- - Sumption ©f spiritQoas liquors " I grant; and that “ a large sums is annually lost to the Colony by their rapomiwa," I do not deny ; but should tbe energies ©f the colon ist* be directed to their'manufacture, 'in order to prevent this outlay, I do contend that evils of much greater magnitude would inevitably follow. Spirit drinking would be much more prevalent; the industry exercised in the production of these liquors, would be worse than lost, —indolence fostered, — aud tbe original design for the beneficial colonization of New Zealand (tbe amalgamation of tbe two races) completely destroyed. Experience has shewn that wherever distilleries were at work, the population have drunk spirits; where wines were made, the people have been wines drinkers; and where brewing is extensively con. ducted, ale and beer drinking is the practice. Ireland and Scotland manufacture whiskey in great quantities—and excessive drunkenness was the result; Whilst in England, where the common bevfc-

rage was ale and beer, drunkenness was more particularly confined to the localities where Ginp laces were licensed. JYlay we not, then, reason* ably expect, that, if in New Zealand, the unlimited manufacture of spirituous liquors is allowed, she will become a drunken, enervated, and indolent colony?—Yes, we may save the present outlay, in one sense—but greater-will be the sum required for the importation iof such real necessaries as our sober industry might abundantly produce. Dis* filiation in the land will bring tbe insidious tempter into the bosom of almost every family, and the deleterious nature of ardent spirits is not sufficiently understood by *ociety at present to enable them to withstand the temptation; but the Governor, who ought to be to us as a parent, should well investis gate tbe properties of such liquors, and then decide upon the propriety of allowing their manufacture and use within the circle of his numerous family. In tbe planting of new Colonies we should endeavour to establish all the good ■ habits and useful arts of our" parent land, but decidedly avoid the introduction of all that h< s proved mischievous to ‘Ocieiy The extensive production of spirituous liquors has been a terrible scourge to our mother country ; they are, and have been, a curse to man. Let os, then, not aid in their production, for the use of our species, as a beverage, and we may ex* pect a rich blessing to yet arrive, and rest upon die iudustry and enterprise of our adopted laud. It is very satisfactory to behold the g eat abhorrence, which, pretty generally, the maories evince towards spirituous liquors. But who can deny that many of them (especially those who have been located neM. whaling and sawing stations) have desire for indulgence in rum and br ndy.w One of the most alarming outbreaks of the natives So Auckland, was occasioned by Pomave (a drunken the Bay of Islands) and his fighting fegjpa?—both of whom were intoxicated on the evening to whicn I refer. The Police Magistrate and Protector’* persuasion bad no effect upon these savage’s minds—made more savage by intoxication—and had it not been for the prompt determination displayed hy the Sheriff, Mr. Coaies, the result might have been serious. If Governor Filz-Roy had witnessed this scene he would not now be so easily led to believe that the maori is invincible to the effects of such liquots. But, is the maori soperior to our own countrymen in this respect 1 Not a whit l The infant dislikes the drug, bnt the example of its parents and tutors gradually removes tbe distaste, and the habit begun at the parental fireside, is too often confirmed in the tavern. The maori is, in this respect, an infant, bis natural taste forbids him to partake of this poison ; but the example of his white friends aronnd him will soon iuduce indulgence io the habit—desire for the drug will increase—and, it is to be feared, that much good that has *bien done will be undone if this awful practice 'takes root among the New Zealanders The Indians of North America did also abstain from these liquors long after tbe Europeans visited them. The poor Indians knew nothing of intoxication before he was taught by the white man and when he found his hunting grounds invaded by the pal effaces, he met his enemy with the cool determined courage of men who knew what they were about, and, with nos thing better than the tomahawk and scalping knife, drove back a hundred tiroes the armies of Europe ; hut a new ally joined tbe European ranks, and in■idiously eu tied the Indian cunp, armed with a weapon far more destructive >han cannons, and swords, and muskets, and ihat ally was Brandy. They gradually acquired a taste for this liqnor, which Was first brought fro... Siurnpe, and after* wards manufactured on the spot by the settlers: they drank with avidity, and from that time the Europeans had to contend with an enemy either mad or stupid, and gained an easy conquest. The New Zealander is as hkely to become the slave of this habit, as was the North American Indian, and it behoves those who have been long and successfully labouring to establish the Christian doctrine among them to raise their voice and use their io* fluence against easy access being given to that which must counteract all their efforts, snd reduce I the half enlightened barbarian to a worse state ihau that in which ihe wh te man discovered him.

I agree with you, Sir, that “ the Society is doing much good,”d*id 1 do most heaitily wish that yon, and all others who approve'of its utility, would add your example and influence to its numbers. We do not wish to use any system of “coercion,” in establishing our views, but we do desire to ste the facilities fur spirit-drinkingdiminished, rather than extended. Such Societies as ours have always acted upon the minds of men by persuasion, and our object in Memorializing the Legislative Council was to endeavour to persuade that Honourable body from repealing the Distillation Ordinance. And we felt it our duty also to suggest the propriety of raising instead of lowering the duties upon spirits, Rot, considering also the lamentable probability of the Natives becoming drunkards, by European example, we did not shrink from shewing a desire to see the importation and manufacture of intoxicating liquors, for sale, entirely prohibited in this colony. We do not wish to see “ persecution ” in any shape, and so far as the majority of our population (%vbo are maories) is concerned, where would the “persecution” exist in piohibiting such liquors. Tbe Opium eaters of China, no donbt, deemed it ** persecution” of the Emperor, when he prohibited the importation of that dug ; but would you, Sir, knowing the vast devastation its use has made, have raised your voice iu thfe condemnation of the Imperial edict? *Chrtaiuly not. And altbo’ an Ooicry might be raised by the consumers of ardent spirits against any attempt to prohibit in the manner suggested by our memorial, yet complaining would soon cea«e. and every right minded man would applaud the government that banished the pestilence. The Queen of Tahiti was much applauded by good men in England for prohibiting intoxicating liquors from he» dominions, and who amongst us will say that in doing so, she desired to persecute her people. Her subjects had not become enslaved to spirit-drinking, and she took tbe proper method to prevent tlieir becoming so, and they are now soberly contending with artful power lor their rightful possessions, while drunkenness in t eir land is Confined to the low class of Europeans who occasionally visit their shores. If, Sir,you call it * persecution” to prohibit the article, may you not style it “ persecution ” indeed, first to per-

mit its import and sale, and afterwards punish the poor infatuated being who partakes of -it to excess. The Queen I have mentioned considered it much better to remove the cause, than fust encourage, and then punish the crime.

I trust that the importance of the subject will be sufficient apology for this lengthened communication, I thank you, on behalf of the Society, for your testimony in favour of its usefulness; —but I would be glad that y<m hid first ascertained the motives which actuated the Society, in their memorial. before you attributed to them a spirit of “ per* secution.” So long, Sir, as you, or any other man continue to partake of those liquors, however moderately, you are unfit to view the subject impartially. Give up the smallest participation in their use, seek every available information upon their nature and properties, and then effects upon the human system, look upon the monstrous evils which they have produced in society ; and- l ain convinced, that, before many weeks of such practice and research have gone by, your candour wili lead you to the same conclusion with us, that, in the establishment of a new Colony like this, the prohibition of the import and manufacture of spirituous liquors, for sale, as a beverage, instead of being a “ persecution” to the people, would decidedly prove a great blessing to both races of the inhabitants ; and would induce many ofthesober, virtuous, and industrious portion of our countrymen at home to hasten to this much favoured colony. I am, Sir, Yours truly, W. Auckland, July 16, 1844. [We insert the above in defence of the Total Abstinence Memorial, although we can ill afford:space for such lengthy corns; munications. Our cot respondent “ W.” we submit has not stated the question fairly. In the commencement of his letter he insinuates that the prayer of the Memorial was directed only against the Repeal of ihe “ Distillation Ordinance,” a reference however to the following extract will at once shew the object of the memorial. “ We would most respects fully implore your Excellency and your Honourable Council to prohibit altogether the importation and distillation of ardent spirits for sale, as well as the manufacture and importation of intoxicating liquors in general, excepting only tor medical and tor {scientific purposes.” We would ask our friend “W.” if thejprayer of the Mes morialists were granted, would it not be persecution ? and gross . persecution too ; why nobody could brew a drop of beer ! or make a little wine for their own use ! I or even be allowed to partake of them at all!!! because the “Total Abstinence Society” forsooth are of opinion that the immoderate use of them is injurious ; they must therefore be prohibited altogether. It the Society had petitioned only against the repeal of the “Distillation Ordinance” we should not have ventured to have passed any censure on their proceedings, for we can easily imagine they may feel themselves conscientiously bound to oppose the manufacture of ardent spirits in this country ; at the same time we should not coincide with their views, knowing as we do that those who are in the habit of drinking them will procure them from some other country, if not made here, and we think the money had better be kept in the colony. Our space will not admit of entering into ail the numerous arguments of our correspondent; we would however observe, that w e have no recollection of any “ alarming outbreak, in Auckland, occasioned by the drunkeu chief Pomare.”— We do remember that “ Pomare” once claimed ■a slave who had escaped from him and was iiviug with an European in Auckland, and we believe according to maori custom he attempted to take him by force, and secure him on board his vessel, but it was an insignificant affair altogether ; of course he was vexed when the Europeans would not let him recapture his slave; a few words ensued, but it could not justly be designated “ an alarming outbreak.” We think a law passed to prohibit, altogether, the importation of intoxicating liquors, would perhaps be the means of introducing drunkenness amongst the natives, because large profits could be made by smuggling, which would then be carried on to a great extent, and tho natives being exempt from the law would be employed by the white people, and their pahs become the emporiums of this contraband traffic ; the facilities for smuggling by the assistance of natives and their canoes would be very great, because they would resist all attempts at searching their canoes or pahs by force, and the large profit would be sure to induce them to enter into it. The case of Queen Pomare is not at ail parallel, she had to deal only with her own subjects who had not imbibed any taste or habit for such liquors ;

it was therefore no hardship for them to do without a beverage they had never tasted, and as far as tbe natives of New Zealand are concerned we should have no objection to see an ordinance passed prohibiting the sale of ardent spirits to them, also indicting a penalty upon all who bartered ardent spirits with them, either for wages or goods,

Our correspondent must certainly have been joking when, :in order to prove the strength of water, he states that “ the poor Indians of North America, with no*« thing better than the tomahawk and scalping knife, drove back, a hundred times, the armies of Europe.” They certainly sometimes, by cunning, surprize, and ambuscade, succeeded in harassing and destroying the raw recruits who turned out against them, volunteers hastily raised from all classes of the American settlers; but when were the armies of Europe ever in array against them ? to be sure the Indians occasionally mixed up with the war of American independence, sbme siding with the English and others with the Americans, but there never was more than a mere fragment of an European army in the country, and whenever they encountered the Indians singly or with equal numbers in the open field, the latter were always routed and fled to the woods and morasses.

We are glad to see that our correspondent tacitly admits that the Memorial went a little 100 far. In the above letter whenever he mentions the prohibition of the importation and manufacture of intoxicate ! ing liquors, he takes care to add the words for sate, and then he introduces long arguments against the pernicious effects of ardent spirits, but says nothing of the bad effects of good old wine or home brewed ale; whereas the;Memorial went so far as to prohibit altogether, either for sale or private use, the importation and-manu-facture of ale, beer, cider, wine, or any liquor that, taken to excess, would cause intoxication. Only observe the modesty of these gentlemen who would set up their own taste and opinion as the criterion with regard to what beverage shall be drank by a community of free Europeans. Is not this a spirit of persecution ? Urge not “motives” in justification of such intolerance ; we do not pretend to judge of motives; it is actions that we freely canvass,: the best of motives may be, and frequently are,urged in defence of the most villanous deeds ; have not good motives been avowed throughout all religious persecutions ? The Crusades or Holy wherein thousands and tens of thousands were slain, the immolation of human victims, the burning of Martyrs, and the tortures of the Holy inquisition ;. the perpetrators of these horrid cruelties have all appealed to the purity of their motives to justify their abominations. But we are growing prolix, and must conclude our remarks with one or two observations. In this world there ; ? s mixture of good and evil; the best of poral blessings may be abused, and converted into evils by the intemperate use of them ; are we then, for this reason, to banish them altogether ? Must we return to the barbarism of savage life, because temptations are insidiously interwoven with the refinements of civilization ? For what pnrpose is man endowed with the noble gift of reason, but that he may discrimihate between good and evil, and pass unharmed amidst the various temptations of life ? To avoid temptation monks and nuns have been shut up secluded from the world, but history does not'show that they have been better than other people, and a wise'parent'would rather fortify the minds of his children with virtuous principles, and send them into mixt society; true the sparks of evil may fly about in every direction, but if there is no tinder they will not catch. We would conclude by repeating our former advice to the members of this society, abandon all attempts at and endeavour by sound reasoning and good example to operate on the oonviclions of men, forftiy their minds with virtuous principle> teach them the hideous deformity of the vice of drunkenness, and show them the ruinous evils that inevitably follow in the train o? intemperance, and we will venture to prognosticate that greater success will attend their benevolent efforts, than would be effected by the intolerant and prohibitory enactments . they have (with due submission) unwisely endeavoured to ob tain.— Ed. Chron.]