THE BARE MAJORITY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1857, 17 September 1913, Page 8

THE BARE MAJORITY.

Sir, —It seems to bo an accepted fact that during tho present session the Parliament will have the opportunity of debating and voting on the readjustment of the clauses in connection with the Licensing polls. Until this matter is settled once for all, that is, giving it right into tlio people's hands to treat with it on an. impartial and democratic basis, so long will Parliament and party bo hampered by the tensity of thought and feeling. The matter should bo settled, this session, or else tlio taking of the poll on a just basis will be lost for three years. Every man who denies the right of a simple majority on this question is a spurious and insincere demoorat. Tlio "trado" occupies a unique position. It has laws and legislation specially for its guidance and oontrol. No other business has such privileges. Its existence and life ris at the sm'ereign will of tho people. That principlo is acknowledged, but tho incongruous fact is that 'in practico it is denied, since now tiio "trade" exists not by a people's majority vote, but ill spite of it. The men wlio by a broad and far-seeing but powerful grip of tho whole situation will arouso Parliament, and by clear, cogent, and convincing reasoning brush away prejudice of narrow minds and those with restricted vision, and compel Parliament to give to the people tho unrestricted oontrol of the liquor trade, will,, whatover else they may do, be long remembered by tho hundreds of thousands of voters in- tho Dominion with respect and gratitude. I am firmly convinced that tho Prime Minister as strongly obsessed with tlio idea of giving t3ie people theiV right in this matter. No question in tho wholo country will be watched with such eager, unabatod interest as when this matter is befoiro the Houso. It is not a matter of' temperance, religious, or social reform; it is abovo the wholo of these if I may be allowed so to say. Great is right, and it must prevail, or perhaps better: • For right is right sinoe God is God, And right is bound to win; To doubt would bo disloyalty, To falter would be sin. I am, eto., T.P.