DRINK DEGRADES MANKIND.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 33, 20 October 1911, Page 17

DRINK DEGRADES MANKIND.

Dear Editor, — : The question is asked : Should the- class-conscious worker or Socialist vote prohibition? Well, now. The true class-conscious worker will have his mind made up, when ho asks himself: Whom does the liquor trade benciit ? Does it benefit the workers or not? Does its consumption tend to strengthen the characters and the physical "constitution of men and Avornen? Or does it tend to degrade character and ruin the constitution of its lovers? Which? Does the future race receive an impulse of strength, with power to progress, by reason of the present gene-ration taking drink? With the considering cap on, "do we not come to the inevitable conclusion that the children of drinkers tend to show weaknesses of character and physical- frame? It is certain that if drink were of such benefit a.s some people would have 'tis believo then we would all drink and become drunkards. But, ay! but — Wβ see too plainly that drink is an evil. We cannot close our eyes to the .fact that it-tends to make men brutal. Certainly it does' not under any conditions make men more .honourable and fit to take their place as men. Whatsoever tends to weaken the race or to weaken the character of the individual should be eliminated. Is that not soP Socialism, being really out for progress, not only of the material conditions, but also in the characters of men, bemg out for that which will make the future men virile, vigorous of mind and body, cannot allow the thought of drink as being a necessity. Not being a necessity, but a poison, therefore it must be shut out. I now give a quotation which really applies to drink in all forms: "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever, is deceived thereby is not wise." I certainly agree with Solomon or whoever did write that. To be not wise is to be foolish. Therefore, let tlie class-con-scious worker or Socialist or humanitarian show that he has a slight glimmering of wisdom.-—Yours truly, Puponga. A. McNEIL.