LICENSE OR NO-LICENSE.

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

LICENSE OR NO-LICENSE.

Sir,—As one of your readers, may I bo permitted to ask which side you intend taking in the coming No-License contest? Juo you stand for the uplifting or tho debusing of public opinion on this question? Aro you going to sell advertising space to those who are fighting against tho best interests of our nation:' I know these aro pertinent questions, but the time is near when they will have to 1)0 answered—yea or nay. I am emboldened to ask you these questions because I believe Tiie Dominion stands head and shoulders above its contemporaries in matters of independence and liberty. I also know that newspapers must bo run on business lines, and that liquor advertisements pay well. But I cannot bclievo that Tub Dominion is going to lend itself to the "liquor interest" in tho way that at least one of your contemporaries has already done. This question of License or No-License must bo faced. Tho liquor peoplo are moving early, showing they fear impending doom. They aro prepared to spend large sums of money ill advertising in order to retain their license to degrade tho nation for tho sake of monetary gain. Are you going to assist them in their object? Sir, 1 live in Wellington South, that district which has had tho courage to closo the "open bars/' and 1 challenge any disinterested person to say, or prove, that we are not better off in every way under No-License. Tho. very atmosphere is purer sinco tho bars wero eloscd. Our children do not seo the degraded sots which , tho liquor teller turns out—just ono now and again, as a warning to others to drink only in moderation—rolling in our gutlors. These well-known local topers have left us, and their place has been filled by better citizens, men and women who are making the most of their lives, and I am sure' this district is the better for it. I know X

run the risk of being caricatured as a "fanatic or an anti-smoker with a bag of lollies in my hand,"' but that is childish nonsense, and will not deceive, hardthinking men and women whose brains are clear enough • to weigh facts against fancies. The new Licensing Bill is going to give us a. square fight (or at least as square as wo could obtain from this undemocratic Government), and I believe it is going to be a real Johnson and Jeffries set-to. My tickets are on the Afr Licenso party, "becauso they have right on their side, and I believe one enthusiastic No-Licenso man or woman will bo equal to any ten of the liquor because their cause, is just. I don t suppose you will answer all these questions without a lot of consideration, No doubt they are already decided' upon, but there is a time in the tide of the affairs of a nation which, taken at its flood, kails on to prosperity. I believe the flood-tid9 is near, and should like to see The Jjomin-. ion' pour its waters of influence to help the tide sweep ■ the open bar for ever from this country.—l am, otc.,