Correspondence.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 110, 6 November 1896, Page 2

Correspondence.

i PROHIBITION. TO THE EDITOR Sir, — In reference to the above subject I submit the crucial question is, Can it bo regulated ? All sides in this discussion agree tbat the evils arising from the traffic are very evident and serions. If it is possible so to control the sale of intoxicants that only a minimum of evil : is produced, then I am sure very few would wish to interfere with those who can take their " wee drap " in true moderation. Those who reply to the above question in the offirmative either recklessly say that it is already properly regulated. Others, not so rash, submit certain amendments, which they assert will care the evil. Now, so far as we know, these amendments have either been tried elsewhere and failed, or they are stamped with failure, and need no trial to prove their futility. Again, others quite callous to the interests of the victims of the traffic, and doing violence to their better nature, maintain that the evils are not so great as to justify the grand extreme of Prohibition. Has the regulation scheme had a fair trial ? In other matters most people would think that a period of three handred years, culminating in hnndreds of Legislative enactments, would be a pretty good test as to whether the object could be accomplished. No one denies/ that the traffic has had this trial, and* proved a failure. Therefore, I ask, are not Temperance reformers justified in looking elsewhere for a remedy? Can we not find a solution of the difficulty in the very thing that causes the mischief ? We all know that clear brain, and a steady, nervous system are absolutely necessary to either walk, talk, or act straight. We also know that alcohol,

pare or adnlterated, goes straight for* the brain and nervous system, and the consequent disorder and confusion can ba easily measured by the quantity trken. All the talk about pure fermented or spirituous liquor, to speak mildly is so much humbug. Alcohol is sometimes' termed a king, he demands and receives the most slavish homage of his devotees. I am, etc., : Crystal Spring.