MR CRAWFORD’S REPLY TO MR SIBLEY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 566, 8 November 1902, Page 2

MR CRAWFORD’S REPLY TO MR SIBLEY.

(To the Editor of the Times.)

Sir,—Mr Siglcy has struck tho root of the whole question, for if Prohibition is proved to bo a failure, and it is admitted by Mr Isitfc to bo a partial failure in Balclutha, it w'ould bo madness to disorganiso our present system for tbo purposo of making Gisborne nn experimental ground for well-meaning theorists. As all questions are decided by the evidence pro and eon, tho Elector being tho Judge, and the poll the Verdict, I claim tho privilege of quoting in opposition to Mr Sigloy’s letters from a pamphlet published by the Caxton Printing Company, 1899, a statement signed by 31 residents of Clutha. I take Mr Sigloy’s letters to bo tho gonuino opinions of tho writers favoring Prohibition, and claim tho same consideration for tho list subjoined, as against Prohibition. The names are those of business people of Balclutha who resided in tbo district both beforo and since tho carrying of tho " No License ” there. Tho statement was headed :

PROHIBITION v. TRADE IN BALCLUTHA.

Seeing various comments of late in tho

papers as to the stato of business beforo and since Prohibition, We, tho undersigned, wish to express our opinions as merchants and tradesmen residing in Bal* clutha, and who have been in business bofore and during the working of the prohibitory law, and say we have no hesita* tion in stating that Prohibition has most certainly injured our respective businesses aud tho properity of tho town 83 a whole :

G. F. Mitchell, painter Sarah E. Mitchell, storekeeper John Barty, carpenter G. W. Hutchins, chemist Peters and Shields, coachbuildera John Sinclair, coal agent John McKenzie, carpenter J. W. Mitchell, tailor John Furnish, tobacconist Thos. McDonald, agent Robert Mason, bootmaker Wm. Hargood, merchant A. Lattimcr, tailor John McGufToy, mill-owner Wm. Davie, fiourmiiler J. Young, carpenter E. Lavairty-, wheelwright Seaton Porter, carter Jas. Rattray, blacksmith C. Finn, fruiterer Wm. Wilson, coal merchant G. Latimore, stable-keeper Henry Rose, sailmaker John Hogg,.butcher John Finn, news agentGeo. Thomson, merchant Thos. Gawn, saddler C. B. Duff, blacksmith G. D. Stewart, painter R. W. Wyber, butcher Peter Blackwood, carpenter This list constitutes nearly all the business pecple of the town of Balciutba. I am, etc., W. F. Craw FORD.