LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1868, 30 September 1913, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE LIQUOR MONOPOLY,

Sir,—As an active supporter of the Reform party for many years, I am disappointed to notico unmistakable signs that Mr. Massoy V'iU side-step tlio liquor monopoly question just as actively as Sir Joseph Ward; ever did. Aro all our politicians afraid of the big brewing interests, or do tliey think that tho brewers and hotel-owners aro publis benefactors? I may say right hero that I am a moderate drinker, and I have not, cither direct!};' or indirectly, a farthing's worth of interest in tho liquor traffic, excepting, of course, tho fact that I pay sixpence for a penny's worth of very indifferent beer. Throughout tho Dominion you cannot find ino.ro glaring instances of the growth of the liquor monopoly than in Hastings. With ft population of 1500 wo had six licenses, and now with a population of 7000 we have still only six licenses, the consequence being that the hotel owners have been made rich beyond tho dreams of avarice. At the present moment in Hastings, hotel owners aro demanding sums varying from £2000 to £4000 for a five years' lease, and in addition a rental of £20 per week. If Mr. Vigor Brown,- M.P., who is a brewery director, questions my statement; proof will bo furnished, and if Mr. Massey sets up a commission abundant testimony will bo •forthcoming as to the 'rottelir.ess of tho liquor, monopoly. What tho people want to know is can a publican pay the extortionate demands of a hotel owner and at the same time run liis house properly It is obvious that lie cannot, for to make ends meet ho must purchase the cheapest and possibly the nastiest liquors, and circumvent the Licensing Act in every possible way. Is Mr. Massey going to shilly-shally with this giant monopoly like past Premiers, and mutter "tho timo is not yet ripe,'' or some such platitude, or will ho take his courage in both hands and wipe it out. If tlio working man has a pint of beer, why should he pay double what it is worth because of this monopoly? Mr: Massoy is a Reformer —well, let him reform the liquor traffic. Tho vote for prohibition at last election included a big percentage of moderate drinkers like myself, .who bolievo that tlio only way to wipe out the liquor monopoly is to first carry prohibition. Then wo would have Stato control or some such system. Next election the poor brewer will be crying throughout tho country, "Don't rob the poor man of his beer," but ho will find tho poor man is at last alivo to the fact that tho liquor monopoly is duo for extinction. If members of Parliament aro honest in their .views on tho liquor question, tliey will give tlio country the 55 per ccnt., for national prohibition. Wo shall then see tho prohibition party led by publicans, and ox-publicans. Even Mr. Isitt will admit that the publican is' a human being, and must livo, which many of them aro unable to do, bccause of this monstrous octopus of a monopoly. And yet tliero are members of Parliament who prefer tho octopus to the public interest, but they will change their tune when they find that the liquor monopoly is to bo a big and burning question at next election. The peoplo of Now Zealand will have no time fpr supporters of any kind of monopoly. For a lot of M.P.'s tho moving finger is writing.—l am, etc., L. W. FOWLER. Hastings, September 29, 1913. •