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Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1925, Page 2

What with all the publicity given through the press and by posters from the public platform there cannot lie much left to be said about the licensing poll to-morrow. But the public have to decide the issue, and thoughts may well he turned in that direction. The question is one for personal decision, and nowadays opinions are clarified a good deal with the knowledge gained of the working of prohibition in the United States, in particular. The experience there is of course very mixed. hut the ultimate result seems to he a state of affairs most unsatisfactory to the national well being. If the introduction 'of prohibition in Now Zealand meant a repetition of the state of affairs as they are recurring throughout the United States, the voice of the people can well be anticipated. No doubt many of the evils cropping up in America would be reproduced here, for there would be greater difficulties than exist in the State's in keeping out the contraband liquor. The enforcement of prohibition here would be more difficult than in the United States, where it has serious defects. New Zealand could not afford to face the bill of costs which would bo incurred to patrol the coast line and keep out the liquor, and liquor once getting into the country would find its way by devious means to pass into consumption. Such an illicit trade would lie most harmful to the people as a whole. An unregulated trade of that nature would result in vile liquor being .sold and consumed, and all the evils we read of in the United States in regard to the degrading of. the minds and manners of the people would result here. The prospect seems to be so generally alarming, that- the alternative in the phne of prohibition, is regulated because of instruction in temperance and the temperate use of liquor. The moderate view of the liquor trade is the sensible one to take; for it avoids extremes and countenances the reasonable and not the unreasonable use of liquor. Xeither no-license or prohibition is helpful to the morality of a community, for the law is too readily broken, and broken in the direction of excess. By striving for moderation with regard to the liquor trade, the best results in national life will lie scoured. Xew Zealand lias a great deal to h se by plunging into prohibition and no end of national risk and danger to the life and morality ot the people. The ease against prohibition as a reform seems to be well exploded by a study of the course of events in America, and it would be wise, it would a; pear, to leave veil at lie. and allow license to continue as at present for the national good.

I'm; political 'undulates lor Westland supply a study in eon l rusts. Their political aspirations are widely different. The l abor candidate is pledged definitely to extreme socialism, taking in the commercial side of life- prodirtion. distribution and exchange. The l.ahcr candidate supports a fantastic land policy which is being interpreted variously by almost every Lnbonr i undulate on the hustings. The ; obey stripped of all verbiage, is plainly confiscatory, and would reduce the poopE on the land to a state of serfdom. with no prospect in life ahead of them, for the value created would pass to the community, and not to the oei upier. The l.ahur candidate stands for a condition of State ownership, which if it rivalled the Australian pair y. vi iild tarry with it great annual loss to lie borne by tbe people paying the ta.xe". Industrially the Labor candidate is pledged to provide a maintenance dole for the unemployed, and would rediiee the bouts of labor, thereby <unt raiding prodnti’ii and forcing up the cost of living. The repeal oT defence laws is a prominent plank in the Labor policy, with the final desire to achieve internal ion,'distil, wip- ! iog out a.!! regard for national life, and welfare, and in “a League of Peoples" uniting races of till color in one great human family! Such, in brief, is the fantastic aim of Urn Extreme Labor Tarty. There is no doubt, if Labor had (he power to attempt its policy it would wreck the good fortunes of Xew Zealand very speedily, and bring disaster on the land and the people. On the other hand, the Nationtil candidate stands for the public interests of all. .Mr Seddon is sound on defence, and the upholding of the law. He is loyal to tbe constitution in every sense. He favors the wellbeing of tbe workers anil labor of moderate view will have every help from Mr Seddon. He is not given to fads or fantastic legislation. He recognises the need for practical economy in the administration and borrowing, and will he certain to ease the burdens of the taxpayer where he can. He stands for effective government by a clear majority and will he behind the present Prime Minister in any emergency when attacked by exi rente Lalmr. Mr Sodden has been well tried in the past. He comes of a family, the name of which is associated for .‘ill time with all that is beneficent in Xew Zealand law-giving. He has a reputation to maintain and has knowledge and hearing to maintain it with dignity and worthiness. Clearly, then tbe electors tomorrow have no serious obstacles in making a choice. Westland lias the highest regard for loyalty. On that, score Mr Seddon comes first easily, and his loyalty carries with it the assurance of the maintenance to the fullest of all that is best in British traditions governing light, and the upholding of law and order, and tbe constitution generally.