FAIR FLAY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2337, 2 November 1908, Page 2

FAIR FLAY.

[To the Editor.] Sirln. ,D. J. Bwry’s letter in vour issue of Thursday last the question is asked : ‘‘Why does not ‘Fair Play’ attack solicitors, because some of the [members have shown themselves unlit for that profession ; clergymen, bemuse some havo been unfrocked ?” The -answer, that these professions are necessary and beneficial, while the “trade” in intoxicating drink lias been proved not only wholly unnecessary, but altogether detrilXiential to the best interests of the community, is so plain that had Mr Barry given it a few minutes consideration, lie- might have solved the problem for himself. Neither ‘FanPlay’ nor any' member of his party, lias' any quarrel with the individual members of “the trade,” as we know they are quite within their rights in carrying on a business sanctioned by the lav of the land' ; but the business itself we do object to, and ins it has been, left to the people- to decide whether it shall continue or not, we believe they are' going to give the right answer this time. _ Some of us have lived many years in this land, and have known hotelkeepers by the hundred, but how few names of these can be given who have lived to old age, or come well out of the business, so it must be allowed that v trade so detrimental to those enrraced in it as well as to the public at-large, is best ended. Everyone mfist acknowledge that a speaker is entitled to a. fair hearing, but Mr Barry must admit that it is hard for a person suffering from any particular thing to sit still or keep quiet while hearing it extolled or its evil effects minimised. A father who has spent the night struggling with a son in delirium through drink, or a mother who, with her children,"is turned out to spend the night m the open, is in no mood to .be told that “drink is a, good creature of God,” op that “the harm it does is much exaggerated.” We well know, and so perhaps does Mr Barry, that the hair of what it does do, or the suffering caused by it, never comes to right, but is jealously kept secret in many an aching heart. I ~would like to ask what part of the hotelkeeper’s property is to be taken from him ? It is not proposed to confiscate his house, or the- ground it stands on, or even the contents, just what part then is to' be taken ? It seems hardly just or consistent with Mr Barry’s boast of having “a, Briton’s love of fair play” to class all who do not see things in quite the same light as he does, as “faddists, who- do not know, and who, if "they did, would conceal, if possible, the blighting effects of No-license;” but perhaps he is a better judge of what is right .and fair than we can he. —I am, etc., “TOP LINER.”