THE GREAT REFORM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1065, 4 November 1911, Page 4

THE GREAT REFORM.

[Published by Arrangement.]

THE TRIAL And Defence of the Liquor Traffic. The defence of the Traffic to the charges brought against it consists mainly of evasions, misrepresentations and matters that have nothing to do with its plea of Guilty or Not Guilty. Did you ever hear of a scene in a Court-room like the following A young man is brought into Court, and charged with stealing a horse. The question is asked: "Do you plead ‘ Guilty ’ or ‘ Not Guilty ?’ ” He answers: 11 If I had not stolen the horse, some other man would.” The Court replies; “ That has nothing to do with the question ; it is a simple question of fact. Are you guilty or not guilty ?” _ The prisoner replies: “ People have always stolen horses, and always will. It is not fair to pitch on me.”

The Court indignantly puts the question the third time ; “ Are you guilty or not guilty ?” The prisoner answers: "Suppose I am, what are you going to do about it ? All prohibitory laws have failed. Persons steal everywhere. You cannot stop it. Prohibition is a failure. Let me tell you what I will do ; If you will let me go, and give me permission to steal, I will give you half the money I receive for the horse.”

Now the Liquor Traffic is in Court, and the verdict will be given on Polling Day. Read the Indictment. Call on the Traffic to plead. Here is the Indictment drawn by the people; 1. It is the arch-thief of domestic comfort. 2. It is the champion robber of industry. 3. It is the inspiration of crime. 4. It made over 7000 first convictions for drunkenness in 1910. 5. It strikes its cruellest blows at helpless little children. 6. It is responsible for outraged and defenceless womanhood. 7. It is a murderer of body, mind, and soul. The liquor business at once begins to whimper, and says : “These temperance people are all hypocrites.”

The People:—“ Come, now, brace up and be a man : guiltv or not guilty ?” He says: “If I don’t sell, some other fellows will.” The People “ What has the question of some one else’s hypocrisy got to do with your guilt? The question is simply : is your business guilty ? That is all. If it is not guilty, the business will go on all the stronger ;;if it is guilty, it must die. Guilty or not guilty ? Pie then says: “ The people have always sold and drunk liquor ; they always will, and it isn’t fair to pitch into me.” The People : “ Guilty or not guilty, Mr Liquor Business ? Which is it ?” He draws back and says: Well, if I am guilty, what are you going to do about it ? Prohibition is always a failure, you cannot even prohibit stealing. I tell you what 1 will do. If you let me sell, I will do just as before, but I will give the revenue one-sixth of what the people give me! People of New Zealand, are you going to be intimidated by a lawless accursed traffic ? Are you going to make a bargain like that with them over the blood and souls of your fellow men ? VOTE NO-LICENSE AND NATIONAL PROHIBITION.