"SAVE US FROM OURSELVES."

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 978, 19 November 1910, Page 10

"SAVE US FROM OURSELVES."

Sir,—)Vill you spare mo a small space in ; your paper whilo 1 air ono or two grievances. In respect to the Licensing Bill,- which has just passed in Parlia-, ment, I would like to say that although tho. No-Liccnso party are in a measuro disappointed in not*getting th 0,55 per cent, and in losing the reduction vote; there are a few other concessions which will in a small degTCo compensato for the loss. I. rejoice to. say that we aro in a thousand times better position than if wo had accepted tho iniquitous compromise wo were offered by tho Government. We aro pleased our leaders saw through the dual vote trick, and although wo may, bo sadder and wiser, we , have at least retained our honour, and the No-Licenso flag has not been trailed in political mire. It. is an old saying, good comes out of ovil. Let us hope that tho good that will follow will be that tho eyes of thoso Prohibitionists who voted last election for tho Government' will bo properly opened, and at the next election they will put in men who will study. tho well-being of tho people, instead of men who sacrifice everything for tho sake of keeping in power.

But this is not my greatest trouble. While v;c could, not expect much from a hostile Government, we expected assistance from our own. party. Instead, wo find Mr. T. 13. Taylor (Christchurcli North) congratulating the Government on the Licensing Bill, and even calling to account tho lion, member for Clutha becauso lie said ho expected tho 55 per cent. Wo do not forget a few years ago Mr. T. E. Taylor was tho Government's bitterest foe, now we find liim voting with them on every possible occasion. At ono timo his voico would havo been heard with .no uncertain sound 011 tho undemocratic nature of some* of tho clauses in the. Bill, but, alas! he has fallen from, his pedestal; tho Prohibition idol'has sliown" his feet of clay. No doubt thero is a reason for this change. Possibly Mr. Taylor's political* ambitions lead him to hope for a seat in tho Cabinet, but-lot mo tell him he will have to answer to his constituents for his attitude, and also, to the No-License party. Thanking you very much for space.—l am, etc.,. PROHIBITIONIST.