LICENSED INJUSTICE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9790, 13 October 1917, Page 6

LICENSED INJUSTICE

By the amendments made in the Liquor Bill by the Legislative Council the world is divided when it wants to drink liquor, outside of its - private houses, into two parts during certain hours of the day. That part which frequents licensed and unlicensed houses is forbidden to consume liquor, during those hours, and that part which resorts to clubs may consume whatever liquor it pleases. There are certain exceptions in the case of the first, part, but that does not attcct the broad fact that the world outside the private house is divided into two parts, the one permitted to consume liquor within certain hours, the other forbidden under severe penalties. Neither part is permitted' to he supplied by the recognised sellers under the law during those hours. This is just, so far as it goes. But the justice ia destroyed when the law gets to consumption, and makes that division between licensed consumers and lawbreaking consumers. This is unjust. It creates a privileged class winch may disregard the law which everyone, else must obey. According to the upholders of this proposed system, nonconsumption of liquor within certain hours is absolutely necessary for the public safety. The creation of a class of persons privileged to consume liquor during those hours is therefore not only unjust but inexpedient, for it frustrates the object at which the law aims. The framers of these provisions cull upon the public to make a sacrifice for the war, and they should be ashamed to make invidious distinctions, which are also unjust and inexpedient from their own,, point °i view. The thing is probably .done,,m order that Bellamy’s may attach itself to tlie privileged class that breaks the law by means of a locker. Parliament, making the world dry at times, is arranging for itself’ the right of drinking during those times as much liquor as its members can pour down their gullets going hard from beginning to end. The proposed division, then, into privileged consumers and law-break-ing consumers, liable to heavy punishment, is not only unjust, inexpedient,, and invidious. It is also selfish. rt Parliament is honest, if it has any respect for its own principles, if it is really patriotic, it will at once reject, the proposed division and place the clubs and Bellamy’s op the same footing of sacrifice which it is imposing on the world of the Dominion.