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Hokitika Guardian, 13 November 1928, Page 4

To-morrow, also, tlie electors of New Zealand are to have the licensing issue before them for settlement. This recurs every three years. The three issues are: (1) Continuance, (2) State Control, |(3) 'Prohibition. It is accepted generally that the main light is between the first and the third issue, continuance and prohibition. The State Control party is likely to show some increase, but the two other issues will be the chief concern ol the great majority of the electors. The prohibition issue is always well ventilated. Since tile United States adopted prohibition there has been always examples to draw from that country, and both pro and eon the experiences with prohibition in America are always well ventilated. Just now there is rejoicing by the antiliquor party at the result of the Presidential election, owing to Mr Hoover, who stood for the prohibition law, being elected by a sweeping ina-

jority. It was not that single issue of course which led to such a handsome victory, though it will be recognised and conceded that the repeal of the law was a vital issue in the campaign. Much is being heard of how- prohibtion affects life and interests in the States, and its shortcomings have been well blazoned abroad. The general experience in America of the enforcement or even lack ot enforcement of the prohibition law, is now well broadcasted, and it is possible for most people who read newspapers and magazines and special publications hearing on the subject to form their own conclusions. In New Zealand wo may take it that a more intelligent vote than ever will he cast to-morrow on this subject. Since the last, poll there have been throe years in which to glean knowledge and understanding. and no doubt many thousands of voters serious about the matter, will have used the interval of time to study the general situation, not only in America, but more directly in the application of prohibition to New Zealand. Recently New South Wales turned the issue down in a very decisive manner. It has been said that the majority across the Tasman was due to the fact that there the carrying of prohibition carried with it also compensation to those who lost their licenses Be that as it may. the result was in one opinion an indication of sane British opinion in regard to these matters affecting persona* liberty The idea of prohibition is the extreme of the temperance movement. Extremes are never palatable. and create revulsions. We venture to think that it is this human feeling which creates the opposition to straight-out prohibition in the "United States. Prohibition seems to go too far in the one step. For that reason State Control is a more reasonable measure of reform and on that account we shall not b<* surprised to find the vote for that issue an increasing quantity. But with an extreme step as the main alternative, the chief desire will be to leave tilings as they are rather than face the nitfalls of the unknown. Prohibition comes with very serious financial possibilities and perhaps a measure of national disaster may he involved. New Zealand has an island—a remote—situation, and it would he very dangerous financially to flirt with prohibition enforcement, for it is pos sible for it to wreck the whole future of national progress —if small New Zealand were sent to Coventry as it were. The prospect is alarming. Tt is certainly dangerous, and wisdom says avoid such dangerous contingency.