"THAT MODERATE LEAGUE?"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3155, 6 August 1917, Page 7

"THAT MODERATE LEAGUE?"

Sir,—Once again those who stylo themselves the Moderate League have sent forth a howling resentment against those who, in any shape or form, should dare interfere with the liberty of the liquor ,traffic. When this Moderate league was first formed, they claimed to be absolutely unbiased, disinterested, and unconnected with either the Trade or Prohibition Party, and I, with thousands of others, was inclined to believe them, and had hopes of them being a mediator between the two parties opposed, in coming to some permanent settlement on this important liquor question. But no, sir, am sorry to say that I am bitterly disappointed. They have in not one instance, to my knowledge, shown themselves to be a disinterested party. They have proved themselves to be nothing less than a puppet of the liquor trade. For instance, there is a popular demand for six o'clock closing throughout the whole Dominion during tho term of the wnr. Even the rabid Prohibitionist would be to some extent satisfied with this. The National. Efficiency Board strongly recommends Prohibition during the war, with compensation to those concerned, but, if not 'Prohibition, curtailment in the 'hours of sale and other minor alterations. -Now, sir, what do we find them doing .on both of these issues: strongly opposing both. Surely in these war times six o'clock closing is purely a moderate view. But no, they want nothing but that which the liquor trade wants—they are.nothing short of "wolves in sheep's clothing"—an insult to those who aro moderates. The Trade will have to find some new scheme next election to catch the wavering one.—l am, etc., BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM.