THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1455, 1 June 1912, Page 7

THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

Sir, — Will yon kindly grunt me space to make a brief reference to your leading article on May 20. styled "True Temperance Reform." Von liave ablv put forward a plea for tho cause of tho'liciuov traffic, which in reality has no case except thaiit continues business in ilijs Dominion against til? expressed will n't a majoritv of 31,00(1 persons. With regard to Mr. .Smith's contention. which yoii ciie. il does not i«r|uiru more than t.li'e average iniinl to destroy hi* imaginary picture. .It is 1o be observed that an e=-ential to his .scheme is alcohol. Why?' Because lliis is to bo tho hub of the whole structure. With alcohol as tho foundation. Mr. Smith presents a pretty picture, but. lie should remember that this same intoxicant through all the ages has nev?r failed to produce most', pitiable and dcploraMe pictures. The plain fads are that alcohol is a poison, and that a> a. refreshment it is out of place. The opinions of fnen of the highest standing in medical science arc more worthy of consideration than I his eminent English lawyer, who happens to b'- 1 an M.P., and .their verdict, is that alcohol is a poison. In some individuals it has the power of creating an appetite for itself, and herein lies the attractiveness of tho business. Under these circumstances, I naturally fail to see how it can bo in its proper place a.-; a refreshi ment. While I readily admit that you en- ! deavour to bo neutral on the lienor miesj tion, I trust, sir, that at an early date I vou will see your wnv to present the rnso I from the opposite viewpoint to that in I vour lending article of Saturday Inst. You i will, I think, have little difficulty in mar- ! «hn,]lin£ the highest merliwil scientists to ; support your c,se.-lam^tc, TEMiougi j May. 28i 1912.