MODERATE LEAGUE VIEWS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 234, 27 June 1919, Page 8

MODERATE LEAGUE VIEWS

ORGANISING FOE STATE OWNER- , SHIP. Mr. D. Mi Findlny (president of the New Zealand Moderate League) stated that it was naturally with great satisfaction the league found that the tre-mendous-effort made to carry prohibition in New Zealand by a catch vote on an undemocratic ballot paper had failed. Tho Moderate League, speaking on behalf of the moderate public, desired to record its gratitu'de to the soldiers who, by the active exercise of their franchise, had maintained, tho freedom and sellrespect of their country. It was fortunate that the people'were able, by the nature of the special poll, to earmark t,h<> overwhelming vote of the soldiers against prohibition, thus endorsing the league's contention that the best manhood of the country was.opposed to any violent interference with the liberties of the people at large. The gratitude of the country •should bo theirs in no small measure for the result. Their splendid record, whether in the field or behind the lines, and the great experience which the war had given them, should commend their views and wishes to the very highest consideration. _ . The league had raised its voice in emphatic protest againstJhe waste and, turmoil caused by the special liquor referendum. Hundreds of thousands of pounds' —much of it public money—had been wasted, and valuable human effort diverted from the very urgent needs of industry, commerce and public affairs, to the undoubted detriment of the commlmitv. The New Zealand Alliance, the Efficiency League, the Nationnl Government and-the trade, as parties to what had been termed a "bargain," must share the blame for this. Referring to the next poll to be held in conjunction with tho general elections, Mr. Findlay said the league felt certain that tho great bulk of those who voted continuance at the referendum, would give their - support to State ownership, and it would therefore be. a test as to whether the rank and file of those who voted prohibition were, or were not, prepared to vote for the great reform of State ownership, and so remove the abuses and excesses to which all were opposed. Notwithstanding therepeated failures to carry prohibition, extending over so many vcars, it was perhaps too much to expect'that the leaders of the prohibition movement (who looked askance- at reform as detrimental to their cause) would tako a reasonable view of this question j therefore the prohibitionist organisation would doubtless make the greatest efforts at the forthcoming general elections, a.s already evidenced by sHtements of the Rev. Mr. Gray (pre-sident-of the alliance), and of Mr. W. D Hunt (president of the Efficiency League) to foist prohibition upon tho country. In this connection it was worthy ot note that, following upon apparent prohibition in America, the Anti-Saloon League of the United States was now moving to obtain legislation making the mere possession of alcoholic liquor; an offence, and to give the police ,the nglu of search in all private houses for liquor. Those prohibitionists who. while laying in supplies of liquor for their own use, were prepared to vote prohibition for the other fellow, should bear, this in mind. "The unmistakable victory won over prohibition," said Mr. Findlay in conclusion, "must nob be taken by the trade as an endorsement of existing abuses and conditions; and the Moderate League is more than ever determined as _ to the necessity for reform. The league is therefore organising with the object of securing State ownership at the forthcoming general elections.