BACCHUS’S ASSERTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 574, 19 November 1902, Page 3

BACCHUS’S ASSERTIONS.

(To the Editor of the Times.)

Rir, —In reviewing the question of tho abolition of the liquor traffic, one is struck with the fact that our opponents oiler as much opposition as if it were the veritable staff of life that were involved in this controversy,instead of a few paltry gallons of grog. If we ask each moderate drinker if he is so fond of drink that ho

cannot and will not do without it, he will he insulted ; but if he he an opponent of Prohibition, he will infer that the “ other fellows ” can't. ff we ash again if he is so fond of a paltry glass of grog, that rather than do without it he would prefer that a curse should be handed down from generation to generation, he will be ashamed to confess it, but the “ other fellows” will do for a loophole again. I

venture to assert that the only “other fellows ” in existence are L., S., and I). ; and if the millions of L., S., and ID., at present in the grasp of " The Traffic,” were liberated, and made to How into proper channels for tho circulation, distribution, and creation of produce, it would give sucli a stiiiiulouH to trade as lias never been felt

beforo. We are satisfied that all but a very small minority of moderate drinkers regret that the thoughtlessness of following the custom of the day caused them to become moderate drinkers, for if they only spend ono shilling per day it means about TIG per year that they have spent foolishly. Dirty Bacchus, through his agents, has sought to pose as an advocate of morality, and a moral uplifting power, asserting that if wo cast him down from tho pinnacle on which he stand and stamp him under our feet, our moral standard will full down with him, but wo have hoard of the devil posing us an angel of light, before to-day, and of his quoting Scripture also. Ho soya (through his agents) : " Regulate me ; put a new coat on my back, trim my board, aDd cut my hair, and make me appear respeotablo.” I venture to assort that ho will then bo in a bettor disguiso to attack respectaolo peoplo, and to plav havoc with tho unwary. Degrade him to tho lovel of thieving, and only thieves will relish him. Annihiliatu him by “ No Liconse,” and his scattered particles can bo easily dealt with, ns they will not have a vulgar fraction of the strength that tho compact body has. Bucchus asserts that if we cast him forth from our midst Gisborno will become depopulated. Thero will bo such u vacuum in our anatomy that wo will go and sock him whore he flourishes. Ask any elector if he is so fond of drink that lie will loave Gisborno, and go to Napier for it, and ho will bo individually insulted, hut tho chances aro that he will

assert that tho “other fellows” will. If ho wero asked to namo the “ other follows ” lie would be cornered at once.

If you wero to take a walk through our town at daylight and soo a few finished “ bar products ” ; blind followers of Bacchus, waiting about tho stroot for tho bars to open, with a thirst that has wrecked their poor framos and robbed them of their rest, and ask them if t-hoy would leave Gisborno to look for drink, thoy too, would say “No,” and Bacchus’s assertions would still lack substantiation. 1 am, etc., O.K.