DEPUTATION TO MR F. Y. LETHBRIDGE.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 111, 7 November 1896, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO MR F. Y. LETHBRIDGE.

A deputation of the Eangitikei Licensed Victuallers Association waited on Mr Lethbridge. a candidate for the Rangitikei seat to day. Mr W. Dickson, ia introducing tbe deputation, stated the object of the interview was to ascertain Mr Letbbridge's views on the question of Prohibition or bo License ; and in doing so pointed out that as the interests of the hotelkeepers were at stake, they were making this subject so far as they were concerned, the leading question of the day. The following questions were then submitted : — Mr Dickson : "If you are returned as the member for this electorate would you vote against any measure before the House having for its object Prohibition or No License, whether introduced by this or any other Government ? Mr Lethbridge : " Yes." " Are you in favor in tbe event of Prohibition being carried of granting compensation to hotelkeepers ?" Mr Letbbridge : "Yes." The deputation then thanked Mr Lethbridge, and withdrew. We quote the following testimony of an ex local resident (now in America) on practical Prohibition, taken from a letter which reached Feilding last evening: — " Kansas City, October ]Oth, 1896. With regard to temperance affairs no doubt you are aware that the next State to this is a Prohibition State, and, in tact, this city was originally in the State of Kansas, but lias grown much larger on this sidt of the line; but, of course, one can get as much to drink on the other side of the line as this. The saloonkeepers find it much cheaper to pay fines than license fees. The State is tho worst ii; the whole Union from a business point oi view on account of Populism, Prohibition, etc. They (the farmers) and others interested in any concerns cannot borrow money at any price, just because it's Kansas."

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — From this evening's Star it 1 seems to me from Mr Cocker's letter that he must be badly hit somewhere, i He talks about " Fishmonger's " Billins--1 gate, but is not his ten times more so ? 1 I would not for anything his gall or ! venom should ruu over, especially as he ' boasts he is a man of peace. Wouldn't ' it be better if he stuck to his trade or ■ business and the pnlpit as he is ordained ! to, I suppose, and preach '• peace on ; earth and goodwill toward man," instead : of engaging in an offensive Prohibition controversy ? As to where "Fishmonger" 1 gets his fish can be of no concern to Mr 1 Cocker as he never buys any. The people of Feilding knew " Fishmonger " long before Mr Cocker came here, and ' the latter may enquire all round if '■ " Fishmonger " does not pay 20s in the '■ £. I say still, as much as I could judge, 1 there were two to one at Isitt'B last meeting holding np their hands against 1 Prohibition. I did not know there were eighteen Prohibition orders taken out, but that shows how active the police are, and accounts for our seldom seeing a man drunk. And I still say Feilding 1 has very few convictions for drunkenness. I reckon a man a " lazy busy body " who will not do any real work, but goes round with a long solemn face and black coat and pokes his nose into everybody's business. I am, etc., Fishmonger. Feilding, November 4th, 1896.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — I have been watching closely the various movements in connection with Prohibition, and I have come to the conclusion that not a single Prohibitionist of this district — including Mr Walter A. L. Bailey— knows anything about the real political aspect of the question, and if Mr Bailey and his friends think that he does understand the matter, then I challenge him to give the public a clear and definite statement of his views, founded, not on hearsay, but on carefully compiled statistics, when he addresses the electors. If he fails to do this, then he must be classed as a blind and, in this respect, ignorant follower of a blundering and ignorant Government. In order to draw just and true conclusions for tbe formulation of an Act of Parliament, dealing with the liquor question, I submit that the only sensible course is to set up a select committee of tbe House of Representatives - composed of its best read men of known probity and honesty — to investigate the various systems and laws, ancient and modern, bearing on the liquor traffic, and from tbe result of their researches to draft an act of Parliament. Has this been done ? No, but a crude and unsatisfactory attempt has been made to meet the views of a set of enthusiasts who rant and raye — often in not too refined and polished phrases— on our public platforms. These enthusiasts do not distinguish between fermented and distilled liquors. Now tbe former are recommended for temperate use in nine out often medical works in preference to either tea or coffee. The excessive use of alcoholic liquors, especially spirits, does shorton life ; but notwithstanding this, 1 have no hesitation in saying than there more deaths annually in Now Zealand caused by excessive eating } or by eating unsuitable food. than by drinking fermented beverage; vide statistics. Green gooseberries, unripe plums, ilNcooked pastry, etc., cause the premature death of hundreds. Shall we have an Act of Parliament to deal with these matters? Or, shall we educate tbe people to use their wits properly ? Medical authorities unanimously say that strong to* drunk when eating meat hardens the latter, and makes it very dif* ficult to digest ; whereas malt liquor (? to 0 per cent of alcohol) aids digestion. But What oare Prohibitionists if our future race becomes pasty-faced, weak, | in,iserab,le, misanthropical, flatulent and ! dyspeptic, so long as they can force their narrow, and most rinj'nst, views on the community. The Inc'as of Pern were the most despotic > and most benevolent sovereigns ever known. The' people were divided into groups of 10, 50, 100, etc., over eaph group was a leader responsible for each map's conduct. Death .was the penalty /for disobeying an order of tbe Inca. The Incas jatv

hib it ed the use of ' sora l to tbe lower orders. This sora was a fermented liquor made from maize. The people, however, made and drank the sora j thereby showing that the fear of execu- ' tion could not; keep them from it ; and > yet our fanatical Prohibitionists fondly j imagine theu can compel every Britisher ; in this colony to abstain from all alcoho- ' lie drinks ! for the Rev. Mr Munro said at Feilding on Wednesday that " after a three years' agitation they bad now a party ready to vote solid for total Pro, ' lubition." I suppose he included Mr Bailey in that party. I am, &c, . George Wilks. Feilding, Nov. 6tb, 1896.