The Drink Question.

Manawatu Herald, 13 March 1894, Page 2

The Drink Question.

In the February number of the Itevieiv of Reviews is a paper by Sir Robert Stout on " The drink question and its solution." It is anything but long and is carefully considered and the argument is based on thfi three conditions. 1. It must be of primary social importance ; 2. It inust be practicable; 8. It must not diminish self-reliance. Viewing the question from the point of view of the first condition Sir Robert says the d'ink habit is not necessary for health, nor for work, nor for conduct. The habit is expensive costing the Anatralaaian colonies some seventeen million pounds a year. If it is admitted that the State should assist colonial industries it has a right to deal with so terrible a waste. The writer thus holds that it is of primary social

importance. The practicability is shown by a reference to the will of the people as provided in The Alcoholic Liquors Act, and it is asked " Why, then, should the principle of majorities ruling, which all civilised nations accept, be denied when the liquor question is to be dealt with?" Sir Robert Stout further says "If the State has a moral purpose, then this is a State question, and if it has no moral mission, then anarchy is in store for us. . . . "We who are local optionists see the struggle that has to be, but we also see that the State must take a part in that struggle."