CORRESPONDENCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 196, 4 October 1909, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor. Sir. —I remember reading some time ago in the early days of the "King Country Chronicle," a tetter written by"W.B.," being an eulogiom of a new writer's effort. In that letter "W. 8." advised the writer to accept a bit of advice given to him by a i»»t old lady, which was: "Aim high." I have wondered when reading certain letters in the last few issues of the "K.C.C." if the writer signing himself "W.B..Te Koiti,"ts the same man: the giver of sage advice; the peerless writer of Maori tore, legends and love storie-*; or is is it some other person who has adopted this well known signature wherewith to fight, and for want of proper weapons, nam—ly: solid arguments and facts; has adopted the very unsavoury weapon of abuse and become a barter Of expletives and seeks by the moltiotde and magnitude of his words to cover up all traces of the arguments of his J opponents. Is it in consonance with the Sage's advice: "Aim high" to cat! out "Imposters, demented folmhtators, tyrants, Sainted personages." etc., etc., to those who even if they are misguided are endeavouring by the light that is within them, aa»go about doing good. If the writer of these epistles is not an imposter; if it is indeed the real "W. 8." why does he not give us some information on the subject at issue : i.e.: "Prohibition in the Rohe Potae," which to a man of his ability would be easily obtained: information such as: The wording of the proclamation which set this land aside as a kind of Pakatoa Island (to whose a phrase of " W.B's."): the name of the then Premier; the names of the chiefs making the petition; also why Mr Ormsby was prevailed on to present a petition written or oral, which ted op to the restrictions which were placed on this area and also many other points of interest to the majority of residents of this favoured region.. But, instead of tnat. "W. 8." side tracks on to many phases of the liquor question that have been thrashed out over and over again, issues such as: "Wine at the marriage feast": "The right of majorities to make laws restricting the liberty of minorities."besides questions innumerable. Even if we were forced to admit that the no-ticense leaders were stretching a point to make the said proclamation cover the present day conditions is it to be wondered at? When one considers the tactics that have been adopted by the other side to defeat the wilt of the people such as the Sydneham and Newtown litigation and the many disabilities that have been placed in the way of carrying noticense? Does it not seem strange in "W.B's." judgment that seeing how necessary are these "comforts" to the tired worker that a majority of the elector-* of the colony recording their votes at the tast poll voted that No Licenses be granted? Is it not in consonance with the Great Naxarere's precepts: "That if meat make my brother to offend, then I wilt eat no meat and more than that I will go further and place it out of bis reach." The Great Teacher said: "I came not to call the Righteous"—the moderate drinker—"but sinners to repentance" —the Pakatoa Islanders, the drunkards. But since you cannot get drunkards without strong drink why not banish it from our midst. No doubt "W. 8." will say: "Prohibition is a failure." I wot Id a*k: '"ls it any greater failure than license" In his tetter of the 23rd inst. "W. 8." writes: "Commercial prudence has taught the shop windowdresaer to display his best goods, that the passers be tempted within." What is there about the liquor traffic that it seeks to restrict its customers. for only latety f read in one of the papers an account of a meeting in Auckland when a suggestion was made by a member of the Trade, that they seek to amend the hw, to place white women on the same category as Maori women; also to raise the age of consent to supply youths to 2! years of age. Why these restrictions, if the trade is clean and healthy; and if not. why does "W. 8." seek with his brilliant pen to bolster up that which is not good?—I am, etc., B. SOWRY. Matiers, September 27. 1900.