MR PATERSON’S ADMISSIONS

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 575, 20 November 1902, Page 2

MR PATERSON’S ADMISSIONS

(To the Editor of the Times.) Slit, —It is mi extremely weak enuso that Ih»3 to bo supported by a wliolo column of excuses, and a direct charge on mo of “ dishonest debate.” I do not believe that Mr l’aterson would debate a question in a dishonest manner, or speak an untruth knowingly, but I do say that ho has shown in this controversy a complete want of grasp of tho subject ho attempts to handle ; his pen outruns hia judgment, and his intemperato zeal overleaps the boundaries of good taste and prudence, when ho feels he is brought to bay on his own puorilc analogies and abortive special pleadings. In proof of this statement I point out to the intelligent reader that Mr Paterson lias failed to grasp the meaning of my assertion that “ Prohibition does not effectually prohibit.” “ Effectually ” means (Annandalo’s DieI I ionary) “producing the desired effect." The desired effect aimed at by carrying a No licenso vote in a district, is to closo hotels for the retailing of alcoholic beveI rages and to curtail the consumption of strong drink by the inhabitants. I again repeat my challenge to Mr Paterson, and ask him to give me a straight answer, based on tho exact meaning of my assertion, as I have dono to his similar challongo on lawlessness. I demand a fair answer, and if tho reply is the same as ho gives in bis last I shall reluctantly havo to charge him with ovasion, equivocation, and oxcuso. When Mr Patorsou looks calmly into this matter, I think he will seo the weakness of trying to answer my direct question by asking another. 2. Kowntroe and Shirwoll, pages 0, 41, 70, 71, 89, after exhaustive investigation, provo that prohibition is a failure in all tho English-speaking countries of the globe, producing lawlessness and disorder alcoholic liquors are sold, both openly and in defianco of tho law, and tho consumption of strong drink is not curtailed. In addition to this we havo both Mr Paterson’s and Mr Isitt’s admission that "prohibition is a partial failure in Clutha.” (3. The drastic word “ prohibition ” is twin sister to coercion, and as applied to Mr Paterson’s party, moans curtailing tho liberties of the mass for the sins of the few ; it brings in its train intolerance and fanaticism, and after a long trial reports itself, by the mouths of its advocates,, as a partial failure. It has proved to bring into every district where it has been tried worse evils than existed before its advent; and this is the system that good, well-meaning people ask our electors to introduce. Tnis sys. tern, when unmasked and fairly laid beforo ordinary intelligence, makes tho mind wonder that benevolent peisons can be unwittingly ensnared into the advocacy or adoction of it. It is a bad thing to see a gentleman of such high standing and holy calling defending a cause that can bo coupled with such u~iy words us “ eoer-

■ cion,'’ intolerance,” ana fanaticism." i It is sadder still to think that he can allow himself to be drawn from bis peaceful and merciful mission into the championship of drastic measures calculated to tramplo resneotnble citizens in the gutter and create dissension and bitter feeling in the community. 1. I do not think Mr Paterson eountonRanees the unworthy tactics of laying - snares, traps, or ambushes, or the low cunning that tries' to magnify trivial side issues, much less to damage an opponent by vile slanders. I am confident he exercises his influence to discountenance, and suppress snch a course, and I appeal to him to exercise his utmost vigilance over these points, as I like a fair, upstanding fight, man to man, calmly, and reasonably, j 5. Mr Paterson advises me to try and j have the law changed. That id the very a heut to be pursued by the Temperance Reform League, " f which 1 aw ™ active member, and who will work grc-auy on the lines recommended by Rowritrc-e and icherweb, based on temperate, moderate, constructive methods of training up the people—who have never allowed themselves to he forced since they wrung Magna Charter out of King John—of providing greater attractions for them, leading them into habits of mental competition, and the cultivation of self-respect, and useful scientific hobbies. b. Has Mr Paterson read Rowntreo and Sherweil ? and if so, has he carefully weighed their conclusion aDd rc-commeda-tion V Does he consider that the opinions of the leading minds of England expressed in their favor establish the work as a~iu liable text book ?—I am, etc., W. F. Crawiokd.

East Cape reported yesterday morn, mg: _<* South moderate gale; sea moderate ; tides good.” East Cape reported at 1 p. m . yesterday a moderate southerly gale and consider* able sea,