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Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1923, Page 2

The latest letter from Mr Lloyd George is, as usual, a clear-sighted view of a large public question. The ex-Premicr discourses on tho prohibition outlook for Britain, and compares the divergent action with that of America. Yet in tile main, he seems to believe that Britain is setting out on the high road towards a condition of prohibition more or less complete. But the road is very likely to be a long one liefore the destination is reached. The experience in America is far from being completely satisfactory. If it were, no doubt New Zealand would now be a dry country. The late poll in this Dominion was fought virtually on the state of affairs in the United States, and the result is well-known. So-call-ed prohibition in America, is far from being a success, even though for half a century State experience gave a foretaste of the practice of prohibition. Great Britain is sure to watch the trend of events in America very closely, and there is no doubt the people are being kept well informed on the point. Possibly the Canadian system will afford greater promise of success, ns being a more genuine attempt at temperance. Certain it is that to aim at complete prohibition in one fell swoop for Britain is in itself courting disaster, or at all events, postponing indefinitely any real measure of reform.

A noted American writer when he visited Westminster Abbey wrote in his sketch book the impression which to-day is used as the thought for the times. It is perhaps not inappropriate in connection with the aftermath of the war, when so often we lead of service men who a little white ago were all heroes, and who now, many of them, swell the ranks of the unemployed. General Russell, too, has commented caustically on the slowness with which the country cares for many of the ex-service men who need assistance. The tapering off policy ol the country with regard to the men who served, though prompted at the outset by the financial plight of the Dominion, is being continued, though the Prime Minister boasts so freely of a million surplus. The Repatriation Department ns a means of ready help to the men, in the matter of employment, is closing ils doors—if they are not actually slammed. It would ho well were the Welfare branch, which once existed under the Ropatriotion Department, revived again, ns there arc still many cases needing help. There are eases which arise from after-war effects—hrakdowns and nervous eases which in any case should have first attention from the State. Tho patriotic funds are petering out, and the State must take up the obligations which hitherto philantrophy, has helped not ungenerously.

And the well men, are heroes, too, who should not be pushed out of sight. The local effort to provide dub rooms, and a social hall is a friendly measure to cater for these whose worth should not l>e forgotten. As Lord Jcllicce remarked when unveiling the Lyttelton war memorial on Anzac Day, it was the work of the men whom we know as returned soldiers who saved the day, and won the battle for the Kmpire. The Bishop of Newcastle, N.S.W . enquired very early in the war. "lien he read of their exploits in lacing all kinds of peril that the world might bo safe for humanity, how could he ever forget the great services rendered by the 'soldiers or fail to recognise the obligations due to them? So, at this juncture, when a fund is being organised for a building in every way credit-able to the purpose, the man about town should he equally mindful of his obligations and assist in the good work of recognition. After all, if the community rose to the occasion, as at other times when stirred to patriotic action, and every one did a- little, the money required would lie found quickly. What is in hand is a memorial to the living, a practical expression of goodwill and esteem to show that regard of which all so freely talked, and which feelings now should bo translated into practical action.