COMPENSATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1734, 25 September 1917, Page 2

COMPENSATION.

NOW that the National Government has conceded to the public demand for early (dosing of hotel bars, a howl is going up from the Trade for compensation, and Mr Massey is lending a sympathetic ear. Admitting that the State sanctioned the licensed hours for a period of three years, that time has almost expired, and if the question of prohibition during the currency of the war and for six months after were submitted to a Referendum no one knows better than Mr Massey that the Trade would be down and out by an overwhelming majority. Licensees knew that they were investing in a risky business, and took financial risks and paid exhorbitant rents. The tied house licensee may be justly entitled to a measure of compensation by reason of the recent legislative restriction —but not from the State. The Government will have to be very careful how" it handles the question of compensation, for the people are not in a mood to be trifled with. The Trade has fattened too long on this wretched vice, and what compensation has ever been given to its unfortunate victims? The State has coddled and protected the Trade as though it were some divinely appointed institution, and apart from the revenue received from liquor, it has exacted taxation from the people to succour its victims. If the Trade is to be compensated by the State, then public opinion will be aroused in protest, as never before. What sacrifice has the Trade made in comparison with (he sacrifices of mothers' and fathers, the blood of whose sons have; been spilt on Gallipoli, France, Egypt, and Belgium in defence of Empire? The National Government had better beware how it tinkers with compensation.