THE LOCAL OPTION BILL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5128, 30 August 1877, Page 3

THE LOCAL OPTION BILL.

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TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir, —During the late debate oh the Local Option Bill, the Hon. Mr. Fox was on all sides spoken of in the most complimentary terms as a noble example of a Christian gentleman engaged heart and soul in the work of social reformation. The bitter, insulting words which he has frequently used towards those engaged in “the trade” in alcoholic liquors were charitably overlooked in consideration of Mr. Fox’s presumed earnestness in advocating a good cause. That the hon. member did not deserve the consideration is, I think, proved by the deliberate and cruel manner in which he has libelled “ the trade,” as he terms it, in his advertisement published in the New Zealand Times of yesterday in reply to “Caustic.” I do not wish to discuss the general question raised between “ Caustic ” and Mr. Fox ; but on behalf of “ the trade ” I do most earnestly protest against the sneer, the vile taunt—unworthy of a Christian gentleman —which Mr. Fox introduces into the last paragraph of that advertisement. This philanthropist, who has travelled from Dan to Beersheba, professed astonishment at anyone belonging to “the trade” being familiar with the words of the Bible. Imbued with the genuine spirit of a certain ancient sect renowned for straining at “ gnats and swallowing camels,” Mr. Fox, thanking God, no doubt, that he is not as other men are, implies that those engaged in “the trade,” including, of course, wholesale dealers, brewers, &c., must of necessity be irreligious men, to whom the Bible is a sealed book. He asks, can one of “the trade” be familiar with the words of Holy Writ? much in the same spirit as of old the enquiry was made can good come out of Nazareth ? Sir, there are in “ the trade ” as good, honest, respectable, and virtuous Christian men as there are in the ranks of the profession to which Mr. Fox belongs. To throw such a slur as Mr. Fox has done on “ the trade ’’ is a cruel wrong to those who, although engaged in the traffic which he so strongly condemns, endeavor to act the part of good Christians and citizens, and where they have families, to bring them np in a Christian and virtuous manner, teaching their children above all things to remember what Mr. Fox has evidently forgotten, if, indeed, he ever knew it —that the tongue is an unruly member, aud that among the virtues inculcated by the religion, which, strange as it may appear to Mr. Fox, that fathers profess, the greatest is charity. Even “the trade” join heartily in the prayer, 11 To be kept from evil speaking, lying, and slandering, and delivered from all uncharitableness,” I will only add that I am not in any way connected with “ Caustic.”—l am, &c., One of the Trade.