The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30th. 1922 THE LICENSING ISSUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30th. 1922 THE LICENSING ISSUE.

With the Koines and comings of the party loaders, and tho campaigns of the local candidates for parliamentary honors, it is possible that in some minds, the issue of the licensing poll to he decided on the same day, as the general, election, might be escaping serious consideration oil the part of the people. Tile matter is of national importance in view of the possible effect one way or the other, and it is certainly well worth pondering over. Tho licensed trade has existed now for many years and as a result of the enforcement of the law (amended from time to time) a steady system of reform has been going on. The result to-day is that the trade is under very, considerable restriction. Legal sale of liquor for the public obtains only nine hours out of the 24. The hotels aro subject to close supervision, and have to he maintained to a standard to comply with the law, and to satisfy licensing committees elected by the people. The public in New Zealand are n travelling people, they move about very freely, and licensed houses set a standard in respect to comfort and

convenience for the travellers which would lx; wanting were compulsion in regard to accommodation not required. New Zealand is an isolated country, but attractive to the tourist and globe trotters because of its natural scenic features. Streams of visitors find tlicr way to tlie Dominion and enjoy the country because while here they rail participate in the creature comforts they are used to in other countries, and have provided for their use a standard of accommodation which meets ordinary requirements. To prohibit the sale of liquor in this country, to close the licensed house compulsorily, would be most harmful to the connection New Zealand enjoys with the outside world. Tf the country became suddenly “dry” there would be raised at once a barrier which year by year would keep thousands of visitors away from New Zealand. The Dominion would be sent to Coventry by the internationals and trade and intercourse would suffer a setback, the effect of which no one can fully realise. To our way of thinking New Zealand would put back the clock of progress by adopting prohibition, for it would be isolated more than ever. But. if we regard the case for prohibition as revealed by the experience of other countries where it has been tried, we find that in every instance it has been found wanting. The United States is the latest and greatest example of evident failure. However much the evidence as to details may conflict, however divided the people may be in opinions, the weight of evidence as confirmed by experience and the volume of public opinion as disclosed by the late senatorial elections, all point to the fact that prohibition is worse than unsuccessful, it

is proving a positive national danger. It is a menace to the moral character of the people, and threatens over a wide area to undermine the physical well-being of the nation. Morally the people are more or less openly defying the law or getting behind it. Respect for the law of the land is being flouted. Illicit manufacture and sale, and illicit consumption are growing. Vile nostrums are lieing manufactured and unfortunately consumed to the impairment cf the public health. What is the experience in America, would we fear, lie the experience in New Zealand. Control and regulation of the trade is the liest cure for the evils attendant to the traffic. Let there be more control and more regulation if need lie, hut absolute prohibition will create a state of affairs which can result only to the detriment of the people. Prohibition is not a panacea for the evils of the traffic, let it be regulated by all means and let a demand be made for temperance in the consumption of liquor (as in all things), and New Zealand will l>e a better and happier country. But to sock to enforce compulsory prohibition is to create a state of affairs which will be altogether to the disadvantage of the country', for the greater evils it will cnrrv in its train.