PROHIBITION AGAIN

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 86, 8 October 1897, Page 2

PROHIBITION AGAIN

TO THK EDITOR. Sir, — Will you kindly allow me to make a few remarks on " J B.K.s" letter \ on prohibition, aud on Mr Crabb's lee- ! tore? I pass over the questionable! taste shown in his humorous beginning, i by reminding him that the object, if not , serious to him, is so to many thousands i of bis fellow colonists. That words and sentences are not arguments, and that argument may be anything but sound. With commendable frankness, "J.8.R." excludes himself from the company of " sensible persons," when he says " No sensible person contends that alcohol is an aid in the direction of building up or improving man's condition mentally, morally or physically, save as a mcdi ciue." I would remind "JBR. "that this pet exception of bis is fast fading away before the light of scientific discovery, and that the time is not distant when the medical man will have little care for bis reputation who prescribes alcohol in any quantity to his patients. The stars of the profession are all shining the other way. I strongly advise " J.8.R." to read up on this matter before he writes again. The cream of absurdity is shown by "J.8.R." in accom panying " extravagant dress, luxurious carriages, grand bouses, elligant furniture, costly jewellery," and their abuses, with the terrible evils brought on society by the use of intoxicating drinks. " J.B.R. 's " inconsistency reminds me of another champion of "this trade." Mr Bagnall some short time since wrote aud acted nobly on behalf of a poor women and child who were imprisoned for the crime of living in the street all night. While conveniently forgetting that he fights for the business, which, by the unanimous verdict of Judges, Magistrates and philanthropists, causes 7f> per cent (some say more) of all the crime and misery that disgrace and afflict civilized communities. Many thanks to "J.8.R." for the beautiful name he has gives the grand path of total liquor p-obibition— ° Grass grown" I sincerely hope it will recommend itself to the farmers of this colony as significant of everything prosperous and good, and tbat it will remind them and all others, that the path of strong drink is marked by a colour mostly found on battle fields aud abattoirs. When "J.8.R." asserts that prohibition is entirely wrong and irreducible to practice with success, which he says " is proved by its failure in its birth place and else where," we must charge him with wilfully ignoring the most reliable and convincing testimony, abundance of which will be forthcoming at the request of "J.B.R" With parrot-like precision and repetition, " J.8.R." concludes by telling Mr Crabb "he is off the track. There is a right way ; seek it." In reply to this characteristic attempt to get out of the corner, this same correspondent (if I mistake not) some months back, was challenged to deliver himself of this grand substitute for prohibition, which is to bring a blush of stupidity to the wise of all the ages, and will justify " J.B.R."— in his bathing attire — to run through the streets ot Feilding, crying out at the top of his voice, eureka 1 eureka ! " J.8.R." if you possess a spark of philanthropy or patriotism, speak out to save your kin, and country, and make yourself famous. I am, Ac, Anxious Expectation.