“One Who Does Not Drink”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2500, 31 October 1922, Page 2 (Supplement)

“One Who Does Not Drink”

Writes as follows: In a word, and to cut a long story short, I am opposed to Prohibition because I believe that it is fundamentally wrong. And it ia never light to do a wrong in order that good may come of it. Tho Prohibitionists would have you understand that the human race will benefit so much by the abolition of all strong drink, tliat the speedy adoption of their programme is the only thing to bo done. Having declared Prohibition wrong, it is necessary to put forward some proof in support of this statement. IN THE FIRST PLACE Prohibition is wrong because it seeks to remove by force from mankind the right to choose between good and evil, namely, the temperate use. and the abuse of alcoholic beverages, or, in other words, to rob man of bis free will, which the Almighty gave him for the ei press purpose of choosing tho good instead of the evil. SECONDLY, Prohibition is wrong because it seeks to cure- intern penance in drink by an “INTEMPERATE” use of the law THIRDLY, Prohibition is wrong because it is giving the State the power to interfere in theprivate affair’s of all, thus striking a - deadly blow at the liberty of the subject. To bo consistent the State must also prohibit tho use of tobacco, because some smoko too much, and also the use of food because some eat too much, etc., etc. As the indulgence! in too much smoke and too much good fare is likely to have bad effects on the health of tho coming generation. In fact, when wo bring in. ProhibL bion, instead of the State being our servant wo are making ourselves the slaves of the State in surrendering our liberty, and when this comes about Bolshevism is not far distant. “ONE WHO DOES NOT DRINK.”