PROHIBITION.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 140, 20 May 1890, Page 2

PROHIBITION.

TO THE KDITOR OF THE STATt. Sir, — As the above subject has been thought important enough to be dealt with in the leader of your last issue, perhaps you will kindly, give me space to make a few remarks on its treatment therein^ more especially as there are so many of your constituents whose views differ from those expressed. You are right in assuming the question important enough to " divert the attention of the House from some other measure." .In its bearings on the social and political welfare of the colony it is far and away the most momentous subject that can come before the House during the next or any other session. Financially, it deals with the foolish expenditure of nearly two and a half millions annually of hard earned money in this colony, and socially it has to do with the most tremendous evils arising from the sale of alcoholic drink. If Sir H. Atkinson honestly brings an effective prohibition measure before the House, he will deserve the thanks and support of all who have the best interests of the colony at heart ; and "should such a measure become law during his tenure of office his name will go down to posterity as New Zealand's greatest benefactor. " The liquor law needs amending " is the usual and favorite cry of those who wish things to remain as they are or to become worse, quite regardlets of the fact that for 300 years England's greatest statesmen have tried their hands in vain at the legal regulation of "the traffic," but perhaps we have abler men in this colony ? Honest statesmen, like our Premier, are beginning to see that those alone who are most interested — the 'people themselves— will have to decide the question. "The probable consequences " of Prohibition that you point out are at least fanciful. That there are a few of the generation which is rapidly passing away who will, in spite of the clearest results of scientific investigation, indulge in intoxicants to tieirpwn hurt may be granted ; but that " visitors and travellers from the outside world " would give Prohibition towns a " wide berth" is not in accordance with actual experience. Witness the numerous towns and districts in the United Kingdom and the United States that have attracted large numbers of the beat people, and have flourished beyond precedent, simply because of their prohibition of the liquor traffic. It is. a new idea that the sale of intoxicants is necessary to " proper accommodation. 14 Then the grand coffee palaces of London, Liverpool, Melbourne, &c., that pay dividends of 10 per cent., can't provide " proper accommodation." As to the question of " compensation " i one might suppose that the emphatic no given by the ratepayers of England two or three years since would have settled that matter once for all. It is very convenient to resurrect an old, absurd argument sometimes when a good one can't be found. Suppose an auctioneer's license — of the same amount, and for a like period — were refused renewal would he be compensated? I trow not. Then why ihould the liquor seller be compensated ? His monopoly for the term of hiß license is certainly compensation in all conscience. Finally, who ever heard of useful reform beginning at " the fountain's head." Have they not invariably to be wrung from those in power by the Imperative voice of the masses when they arrive at the red heat of agitation Such a time is surely coming in reference to "the traffic!' which is such a blight on our beautiful country. — I am," &c, , ' Come Quickly.