JOHN BARLEYCORN
Sir, —J.B. suggests my “dryness” may be the result of theory and not experience.
There was that wounded New Zealand soldier; dressings interfered with by a well-meaning drinking cobber. He bled to death, and another, and another. Three occasions “ three unnecessary graves; three well-intentioned murderers! Wounded New Zealander abandoned by rummed-up guide in the darkness of a cold Gallipoli night; three moons overwhelmed him!
About forty good cobbers celebrating. Result? Bloodshed, broken heads, capsized braziers, men lying among live coals, not knowing they were being burnt. Yes, “beer, is good” alright! Stretcher party driven from wounded man by New Zealander under the influence, armed with rifle and still-wet bayonet. Drinking soldier collapsing across the dislocated ankle he had . come to set. But it “wouldn’t harm anyone,’’ Oh, no!
From 1914 experience has added to experience until Awake has for many years known positively that there is only one path that is safe and sane for himself and his neighbours; the dry path. If J.B. has not always worn blinkers he too must realise that the wet path is beset with inflamed passions and all that follows. He forgets that man cannot live to himself; his actions undeniably do affect others. I sincerely recommend the dry way of life. If he lacks real evidence, he does not need to go far. Ample evidence is right here to convince openminded people. Clear-thinking men, judges, magistrates, etc., see the relationship of later hours and drunkenness as fact. J.B. may call this “pure assumption”, “biassed” and “illogical” but his argument is with these responsible authorities—not with me! Yours etc., AWAKE.
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 60, 4 March 1949, Page 4
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268JOHN BARLEYCORN Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 60, 4 March 1949, Page 4
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