Founded on Falsehood.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2500, 31 October 1922, Page 4 (Supplement)

Founded on Falsehood.

‘■l am opposed to Prohibition, firtftr and mainly, because 'I am a Christian. Bible teaching points consistently and unquestionably to the conclusion that alcoholic beverages are a legitimate luxury, if not an .absolute necessity. Christ’s first miracle consisted of turning water into wine. It would be blasphemous to suggest that the wine was not good wine, and weak wine is not. good wine. The of bigots and , pietists, to prove that' it was inefficient and insipid liquid, because the normal beverage of the peasantry of Palestine was of that nature, are an insult to our intelligences and an insult to Christ. From time Immemorial it has been the delightful custom of men and women of ' ©verv race and every clime to celebrate a wedding with just sufficient alcoholic liquor to dispel the normal reserve, and to produce the happy uplift and result- - ant merriment that nothing but alcohol can give. We have every reason to believe that the historic wedding, at which Cbrist miraculously provided the wine, was a successful event. The suggestion that the wine was merely coloured •water is revolting, nauseating. . . Sensible Use of Liquor. Throughout the Old and New Testaments a succession of prophets, preaohers and teachers advocate the normal and sensible use of liquor. St. Paul’s Btrong remarks, which are often quoted by the pietists, without their context, are, of - course, eminently justifiable. They are as true to-day as they ever were. \ Excess, in drinking as m anything else, is a curse. The loaders of our religious life would be well advised to drop their proposals of coercion and imposition, and by example and precept to so mould the national character that drunkenness will be abolished by sheer foroe of publio opinion. I say without feqr of com- — petent contradiction, and with all reverence, that Christ would not hay© tolerated Prohibition. Having dealt with tlie Christian aspect of this important question, let m pass on to some.-of its other features. In view of the unemployment and distress that ar§> prevalent all over the worl-d, and even in this little country of ours, the economic side of the problem is worthy of study. ‘ J - . Without being statistical or technical, or involved, it is possible to show that ' Prohibition, if enforced, would be a dangerous blow to this Dominion. As a typical object lesson, let us take the email country town'of Woodville: In Woodville there are five licensed hotels and a brewery, Roughly, eighty people are directly dependant for their livelihood on these institutions. There are already, unfortunately, a number of unemployed in the town and district. There is no need to draw the inference. It forces itself on the mind in a way that causes to many an

Prohibition a Foe to Fellowship

By W. S. B.

honest worker, and despair to the luckless few, who are even now without work. Foredoomed to Failure. Prohibition is foredoomed to failure, for it is fundamentally founded on falsehood. The drinking of a glass of beor, wine, or whisky is not a crime, and it will never be a crime. It may be made a criminal offence by the Legislature, but tlia-t cannot alter the fact that it is a right and proper act. Truth as a principle is the first essentia] element of law. The introduction of a palpable lie into British law with or without the acquiesenoe of a majority of the population has always been a perilous precedent, and has always led to disaster. Legislation that makes punishable an act that is not a crime engendera contempt of the law, and brings its makers and administrators

into disrepute. We have all seen with disgust the indignity and mockery to which our courts were subjected’ as the result of prosecutions under our latest gaming laws. Betting, within one’s means, is not a s.n. &ncl drinking, within one’s capacity, is not a sin. Enactments which make * either of these things, illegal are contrary to nature and to fact, and must inevitably result in dishonour ' and shame. The most ardent faddist will not say that the drinking of a glass of beer is felony. He will also agree that a mail should not be punished for an act which is not criminal. His ease, on his own showing, has now fallen through; but his, bigotry and this prejudices are such that ho will, commit the immorality of trying to enforce an admitted lie on a section of the community.

/ What Next? It would seem that Prolribition is the thin end of the wedge. What will the coercionists tackle next? There is no limit to the confiscations and deprivations of liberty and freedom that they will attempt. Already there are proposals to suppress or abolish dancing, horse racing, and smoking. The latest indication of the passion of the wowser to compel is the suggestion of Dr. Wilkins, who hopes to secure legislation that will deprive our kiddies of their lollies. It would almost appear that this spirit of intolerance is aimed against enjoyment. Every sport, pastime and amusement is in danger. The world of sport owes a great deal to the fidwing bowl, and stands to lose a lot by the introduction of Prohibition. The social activities of players of all games and their supporters are invaluable in stimulating and maintaining interest and enthusiasm. Dry social functions are dry in every sense of the word. Imagine, if you can, the speeches, the songs, the stories, and the friendly arguments at a teetotal football dinner! The alluring drift into a little gentle ribaldry, a little boisterous fun, -that is a refreshing feature of present-day smoko concerts and dinners, is a healthy and harmless tonic. Under Prohibition it would be substituted by the awkward atmosphere of uneasy embarrassment, that one remom hors at Sunday school socials and dry musical evenings when no one will sing or recite. Conviviality, good fdlows'hjp and merry-making are all the natural complement of true sport, and these' tilings are nothing without the mellowing, -brightening and natural influence of judicious drinking. The British Empire boasts the finest race bn earth. The word “British” is synonymous with truth, strength, worth, and self-respect. Whisky and beer have been our national beverages during all the long centuries that our Empire has been being built. It is absurd to suggest that their influence can be anything but good.