CORRESPONDENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2299, 18 September 1908, Page 1

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Correspondence' ou public matters 's welcomed at all times, but it must be distinctly understood that this iourna] is in no way associated with the opinions of its correspondents.] NO-LICENSE. [To the Editor.] Sir, —Your correspondent “Britisher” has evidently gone to some trouble to prove that Ashburton (to use liis own words) is as drunken to-day under no-license ns ever it was under license. Right hero I Would like to contradict him. There may be as much liquor consumed as before but there certainly is not the same amount of drunkenness, as the Police Court records show. I will not dispute bis figures as to the quantity of beer, wines, and spirits that havo gone into the district. Roughly speaking, I have calculated up the figures he quotes, and at wholesale prices it would about amount to £2S,(if)o. Now, I would ask “Britisher” or any other advocate of .the drink ten flic, is tin's anything to lie proud of? Just imagine what this amount of money would buy in the way of home comforts, such as clothing, groceries, boots, furniture, machinery, horses, or motor-cars. If invested in any of these items there would bo something to show for it, but on the grog consumed what hovo you to show for it? You might just as well go to the fire and throw in a roll of bank notes, which goes up the chimney in smoke, and that’s the. end of it. But hy burning these notes wo increase the wealth of the bank, so that they are enabled to pnv a good dividend to their shareholders. By consuming the grog the only ones who derive benefit airo the liquor merchants and brewery companies. Now, whilst on this subject, I would like to draw the attention of the public to the fact that I have fjrequont.’y seen in the Magistrate's Court gentlemen with J.P. .after their names sitting ou the bench trying some poor unfortunate drunk who may have got intoxicated with some of the very stuff they are selling .to the licensed houses. I think' for shame’s sake if I woro them I would let someone else not in the trade try them, or if I had to try them I would throw up my commission.—l am, etc., “A TRUE BRITISHER,”