Dear Sir,

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 39, 18 October 1946, Page 4

Dear Sir,

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de -plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the right to abridge, amend or withhold any letter or letters.

THE DRINK QUESTION

Sir, —Howsoever a man soweth so shall he also reap. This applies to nations as well as to individuals. Those who are responsible for the manufacture and distribution of alcoholic liquor will have to meet some day the results of their soul and body destroying work, “Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink that puttest thy bottle to him and maketh him drunk.” (Hab 2:15). The man who votes for the extension of hours for liquor trading will not be guiltless in this matter. It is providing more temptation for the young men and young women of our land to get together and start on the downward way. Rather than letting the liquor traffic run more smothly, we should be agitating for the elimination of this business, which brings so much sorrow and suffering in its train. Let me quote some of the results of its baneful work true to this day:— Drink has broken up more homes, plunged more people into bankruptcy, slain more children, snapped more wedding rings, blinded more eyes, dethroned more kings, wrecked more manhood, broken more hearts, driven more to suicide than any other poison scourge—that ever sent its death dealing waves across the world. The wastage caused by the liquor industry is our greatest national disgrace. I therefore challenge the electors of our fair land, New Zealand, at this very time that they cannot in the light of these facts honestly vote for the extension of hours of trading which they, unanimously suggested to the Commission concerned. Many leading scientists and leaders today are calling for the outlawing of the atomic bomb in warfare such as has been done with poison gas. But what about the licensing of a poisonous drug to be used indiscriminately ? In New Zealand here we have the power in our hands to prohibit the extension of these trading hours or even to eliminate the liquor traffic by casting our vote in the election. May all serious thinking electors give a denial to the suggestion of extension. Nations which have failed to take heed of such warnings of dissipation and its consequences in the past have gone under through the curse of drink. Only an awakened public conscience can save our' nation from a similar fate. Therefore let us do all in our power to restrain the extension or to eliminate this cursed traffic. “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red;

when it moveth itself aright.” At last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an adder.” ' Yours etc., / C. R. PERENARA,' Member S.E.A.C. Matata, 8.0. P.