Have You Ever Thought of This?

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1922, Page 1

Have You Ever Thought of This?

Mr W. E. Johnson, the professional prohibition lecturer, now touring the Dominion, docs not tell his audience that New Zealand had suffered a. fall in revenue of Gj millions sterling, with a prospect of a further fall in revenue of two millions. If electors take the advice of prohibition advocates of this country, tfiero will be a further loss of 21 millions annually in the; voluntary taxation paid by the people through the liquor duties, so that New Zealand financially will bo worse off by at least eleven millions sterling if prohibition is varied. And the Prime Minister himself has solid: “I want every penny J can got in order tha.t this country shall be able to pay its wav.” PROHIBITION IS TYRANNY. ‘ Mr Johnson does not tell his beard's what had taken place in America after the carrying of prohibition. He does not- tell how the number of judges has been increased; how the; enforcement agents of prohibition was a great army, and half the police of Chicago wer engaged ju the illicit traffic of moonsfiining. If you do not vote for continuance your house will be subject to search without warrant under prohibition law, at any hour of the day or night, and if any liquor is found in your house the occupier will ho liable to a fine' of one hundred pounds for the first offence. Ls that a position you desire to arise? Prohibition would destroy the Britishers’ freedom of his own bouse. LOOK ON THAT PICTURE AND ON THIS.

In America there is lawlessness and disrespect for law under prohibition. They have closed the saloon, not tbo hotel n.s we know it in New Zealand, and opened .their doors to the many evils hitherto unknown. In Now Zealand all forms of serious crime have .decreased. Wo are law-abiding without prohibition. There is no valid reason why we, in this Dominion, should give s o injurious, destructive, and damaging a policy a trial, especially when its trial in America lias resulted so disatrously to the United Status. Clean living, honourable conduct and patriotism demand that New Zealanders give, no hoed to fancy foreign importations.*