FICTIONS V. FACTS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 32, 1 November 1918, Page 6

FICTIONS V. FACTS

STILL MORE LIQUOR FICTIONS EXPOSED. UNANSWERABLE DRY PACTS. Fiction No. 9—"The abolition of that (liquor) revenue will still further increaso tho cost of living and taxation as well." This fiction is based on a popular fallacy that the revenue raised from the sale of liquor is 60iuehow or other a gift from the Trade to the public Treasury.. Nothing could be further from the truth. Study and ponder theso facts:— (a) The taxes levied on "The Trade" are figured into the cost of production, a percentage added for profit, and the consumer foots the bill. It is not the brewers but the bar patrons who pay tho tax. Add a shilling tax to a gallon of whisky and "probably the distiller will put two shillings on the price and add some water as well.

(b) When Prohibition' comes John spends his money elsewhere. A retail boot merchant of Toronto, Canada, testifies that lie sold' more boots and shoes for women and children on the first Saturday of Prohibition than on any previous dny in his career. Why? "Booze" money was becoming boot money. But the Government taxed boots by their tariff, and so John contributed to the revenue as before; but lie incidentally made his home happier instead of tanning his stomach lining with alcohol. (c) Later on John, instead of being popular with the "boys" at the bar, takes his family to the picture shows and lets the world know he is proud of his family. But when he buys theatre tickets he is contributing to the public rovenue, only in so doing he gives pleasure to his "kiddies" instead of making a fat living for the publican. A news item from tiio United States indicates that the tax on picture shows will raise an enormous amount of extra revenue. Why ? Because, with bars closed in 28 States, there is far more money for decent recreation, watching pictures moving rationally instead of (he» "movie snakes" that one hears about from alcoholic vic(d) In a short lime John's house gets a much-needed coat of paint, and the piano agent plages an instrument in his home. Garden tools arc required. John him«elf has a new suit and his wife a new hat. Why? His "beer money" is now going to legitimate trade, and the Government gels a revenue from the sale of ■ paiut, pianos, garden tools, clothing, etc. But now the revenue conies through the process of brightening home life, introducing culturo into the worker's dwelling and raising his self-respect, instead ! of "through the process of burning out his brain power through alcohol and blasting his homo happiness. (e) The testimony of thousands of merchants in Canada proves beyond all question that (b), (c) and (d) above are facts:— ... • i „, „ (f) Statistics in America show dry areas to have smaller tax rates and far* Inure prompt payment of the levies . Listen to what Mr. Joseph Reid, M.P., of Prince Edward Island, Canada, says, after stating that he was one of tho two members of the Legislature who voted against Prohibition for that province, but had to change his mind when he saw the results. He writes: "The revenuo derived from liquor is the meanest and most disreputable source of revenue conceivable. It is n tax on the intellect of men and tho well-being of. women and children Our tremendous war debts will' bo wiped out by the savings and the increased capacity of tho male popunltion, enhanced wealth and general prosperity duo to Prohibition."— (Published by arrangoineut.)