MARK TAPLEY.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 102, 27 October 1896, Page 2

MARK TAPLEY.

1 TO THE EDITOR Sir,— Your correspondent " Mark TapIcy " quoted Dickens in support of his contention, which is less nauseous than quoting Paul, but a more appropriate name for this " joker " would be " Mrs Squeers. vendor of queer medicines." I will explain how liquor lovers' gabble convinces waverers. Firstly — Liberty of the subject. The word "subject" implies subjection to authority, and out civil liberties being granted by the voice of the majority we must, or should as good citizens and Liberals, bow to their ruling. Liberty of the subject must be distinguished from liberty of the lawless. Secondly— Biblical authority. The old Bible is mainly a history of the Jacobite race, and, though recording, does not commend their drinking habits to ns any more than it does their polygamous and slave-holding habits. Paul was neither doctor nor chemist, and as common sense people we must take his advice to sick Timothy only for what it was worth. Our Saviour's changing water into wine has no certain meaning, except the showing forth of His miraculous powers at that time ; hence this miracle gives us no command to make or drink wine, nor does that other of drowning the swine corpmand as to slaughter onr pigs only in the sea. The cry that " Prohibition does not prohibit" is a silly one. Prohibition of any crime does not wholly prohibit it. Theft is prohibited, but I have quite recently been almost ruined by wicked hordes of sheep-stealers, and I would think very much indeed of any informer, or spy, who would inform me who the theives are. And, by the way, I have good reasons for thinking that most sheepstealers are profligate drinkers. I think it flattering to any man's intelligence to suppose that he is not honestly con* vinced of benefits arising to mankind through selling and drinking alcoholic liquors. But there is no good in meddling with people who say one thing and mean another. I am, &c, Convert.