THE FRIEND OF ALL.

Manawatu Herald, 21 November 1896, Page 2

THE FRIEND OF ALL.

TOTHE EDITOR 07 THE MANAWATU HEBALD. Sm, — 1 believe your remarks in the Manawatu Herald of the 17th instant r« prohibition candidate for Mayoral honors referred to me. In reply I beg to state that bhould the Couooil suffer from the cause you suggust I hope, if elected, to grapple with the difficulty successfully, provided always that the Council will assist. With your permission I would like to suggest a solution of the question r* compensation to hotelkeepers. This has always been a burning question as to who should pay the compensation. The ratepayers would objeofc to see their rates being applied, and the ' Trade ' would feel an injustice was being perpetrated if they were ruined by a single A.cfc of Parliament. What I would suggest would be that the i Trade compensate each other. For instanoe— We have four hotels in Foiton, and should reduction be carried at any poll then let the four proprietors consult together as to which would retire and at what price, and remove the very unpleasant duty from the Licensing .Committee, the three remaining undertaking to pay the amount arranged upon within a given time. Possibly the Govern* ment might advance the money and levy a rate against the remaining three, which they could afford to pay out of their inoreased trade. After two or three years let the three meet again, and arrange as to price of retirement and terms, leaving the monopoly to two. Then continue until the last one has the monopoly for two years, during which time the money that he would make from suoh monopoly would, be a fair compensation. There would be no injustice done to either of the four gentlemen engaged. It might be oonsidored as " interfering with the liberty of the subject," but I believe there are many other business men who would be prepared to sell out on similar lines. Should reduction be carried, which hotel could, or would the committee take the lioense from ? It would be unfair to ruin one and the others get all the benefit. I have been called a Prohibitionist, and I am not'ashamed of the name, and have no intention of " changing color," but while I am "held up as being an enemy to the publioan, I desire to be a friend to both publioans -and sinners (prohibitionists). I am, &c, Edmund Osbobnb. Foxton, 21st Nor., 1896.