THE NO-LICENCE QUESTION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3186, 10 September 1917, Page 6

THE NO-LICENCE QUESTION

Sir,—l presume Mr. E. Kennedy (with vrhoiu 1 am not acquainted) is sincere iu his statements with regard to the evils of Prohibition. 1 can speak oi its effects in Masterton, in which town I lived both prior to and subsequent to the carrying of No-Licence. How many wives and families have had reason to bless the day that Prohibition -.vas tarried there. Will Mr. Kennedy just listen to one solitary argument as to the good—the great universal blessing that No-Licence has been to Masterton? Before No-Liceuco came into force Masterton had a Dorcas Society, and had had it for -upwards of a quarter of a century. And, sir, tliiu society was scarcely able to supply the requirements of the dependants of those who could not resist the temptation ot the open bar. That society does. not uw exist—there is no necessity for its existence. There was 110 demand for the garments that were being made, for practically there wore no drunkards in Alas-' terton, and no families suffered m consequence. Masterton to-day, under INoLicenee, is a cleaner, brighter, and more wholesome and prosperous town than ever it was before. Can Mr. Kennedy deny that? I'think Mr. Kennedy is the very first correspondent wlio lias ever had the courage to sign a lettei to the Wellington Press acclaiming the socnl benefits of the drink traffic and now disastrous No-Licence has Provwl lo hosocial, moral, and commercial of the districts in which it hao been established, and in which each community is determined that never again shall it be permitted to imperil the welfare of its inhabitants. I would ask [ . r - en ~ nedv to bear in mind the Chief .Tiislice's comments on.the noticcaWe diminution of crime since Prohibition has come to stay. Previous to the big fight for the salvation of Masterton (as it has since proved) the Trade spent money most lavishly to prevent the town and district being hopelessly ruined by the abolition of the drink troflic!—l am, etc., ALEX. M'MINN. Auckland, September 7. EARLY CLOSING. The early closing of shops necessitates householders replenishing their supplies of "Fluenzol" in the daytime. • 'Tluenzol" with its variety •. of • usee is indispensable in every tome.*