DRINK AND THE DEATH ROLL.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 39, 1 December 1911, Page 18

DRINK AND THE DEATH ROLL.

Mr. Liquor Man has been laborkmsly (just to show he does labour, I presume) trying to prove that the .absence of liquor from New-Zealand would promptly send up the death rate. Well, he's svelcometoalltheeviden.ee lie can get to support his novel theory. ■When he ha* &fli*bed looking up, his authorities, let him turn his attention to a recent utterance of John Burns, addressed to the National Association for the Prevention <f Consumption: —

- "Coincident/ s '^ e says, "with the declines in the consumption deathrate and the general death-rate, they had seen the- drink bill diminished from £4 12s. per head of population to £3 8s lid —a diminution) of 25r per cent. —and one of the most distinguished men ever identified with consumption, had said that : ' " Th© pubUcftQus® was the purveyor of and that 'Alcoholism was the most potent factor in propagating it.' " Ramsay MacdonaSd, EV2.P., in a letter dated June 13, 1011, says: "All our experience, on'this • side shows that if we are to have men of healthy mind, independent spirit, and democratic enthusiasm, * the licensed interest must be daprived of. the powers vifaiiGh It can so easily acquire over both the in- -*■ dividual and the State. , '. ' Philip Snowtien," M.P., in a letter dated June 6, 1911, says: "The Temperance people in Great Britain envy the electors of New Zealand—men and: women — ihe opportunity-they have this year .--■~-"" of sweeping the drink traffic frost* '.tlie fand." [Will the Trade quote Labor leaders of eqtiat standing with the above to i&«- ;- ---effect that if you banish■ liquor, you will fcring. about the early extinction of the laborjifg class of New .Zealand, or will the Trade contend that "healthy 'SMXidSs ,, "independent spirit," and ' :a, dcmoora.t!i'«3 "enthusiasm" are the evidences of physical weakness and early disease ? .