MR CRAWFORD AND MR EAST

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 556, 28 October 1902, Page 3

MR CRAWFORD AND MR EAST

'(To the Editor of the Times)

Sir, —Would you kindly permit me to make a few remarks about tbe last paragraph but one of Mr VV. F. Crawford's reply to Mr Fast in your papo.. of Monday morning. Mr Crawford claims to have proved on Mr Jsitt’s admission that Prohibition in Cluttia is a partial failure. Now, it seems to me that far 100 much capital is being made by the Liquor party and those who champion it from thin expression of Mr isitt’s. Of course, it. has been a partial failure ; no thinning person would care to deny that. '1 hose who were instrumental in carrying nolicense in Clulha knew pcricclly well that Prohibition would never be carried out in the electorate with absolute perfection. 'i oo many persons viVre interested in breaking the law for any such desirable end to i.e attained. "'file 'frade” New Zealand were too much afraid of the object-lesson presented by tbe working of “ No-licmse,” that evefyn.mg was done to dy,credit it. But, sir. if Prohibition lias Iran a failme in Clulha, who is responsiule for tins partial failure? Not tnc '1 empera.icc party, of course. '1 hey are law abiding members of tbe community. 'I hose who are interested in the sale of liquor, and attempt ny “ hook or by croon ” to evade the law, if they cannot openly violate it, are really tbe cause oi the partial failure of Proh.uilion m Clulha ; and, n the champions of the “ Trade ” deplore, as they profess to do, the evils of sly-grog selling and tiie hatred and malice and all uneliaritanlciicss winch they tell us come in the wake of “ no-license,’ they have the remedy, in their own 'hands. Let them frown down all illicit traffic ; let them do their level ■best to sec that the local-option law in the district is rigorously and impartially carried out. When they do that, wo will believe in the deep iegret they express both in pamphlet and on the platform for the tremendous evils they say Prohibition has brought on the community—but not till then. Hut, Mr Editor, lam convinced that if no-license were carried in this community, the law would !« -carried out as effectively as it is possible for any law to -lie carried out We are blessed in this district with an S.M. and staff of officials who would allow no earthly consideration to prevent them from the carrying out of any law, so long as it is on our otatute Hook. Besides, we are in that condition —that enviable condition fiom our geographical position to test ihe utility or otherwise of the no-license measure. but, Mr Crawford, will you kindly allow me to suggest this consideration for a leisure moment . You are a thoughtful man ; you don - deal m jiersonal abuse: and you can see and deplore the evils and abuses -arising from the drink traffic. Well, then. Mr Crawford, if the results of partial Prohibition he so good, what might we reasonably c.v pcct them to he if Hie law was cairied out more efficiently ? Oi course, vou may answer that the results have not been good, and to carry out this law more effectually would only intensify those had results. Hut, I am assured of this—that if vou would only examine these results, not tlirotigli the statements of Prohibitionists oi anti-Prohibitionists, but through official police records and other records from neither side (being, as we believe you to be, impartial), you would be constrained to admit that the results are not bad but good. Hut, Mr Crawford, even if we could only get the “ partial Prohibition bore that you say they have got in CLutlia we should be glad, and so convinced are we of tke splendid results that have followed the partial carrying out o. tho law, on your own showing, that the Prohibition party here intend making a long pull and a strong pul , and a pull altogether—if the result should only be sued, a “ partial Prohibit",!! •is they have to-day in Clulha -I am, Mr deeply interested.