LOCAL MODERATES (?)

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 19 March 1919, Page 2

LOCAL MODERATES (?)

To tho Editor. Sir, —"Booze for Ever" and some other dabs of brown paint were smeared almost all over the shop window in Mill Road in which we are displaying some Prohibition facts and conclusions. We held an open-air meeting on Saturday evening and invited and permitted the other side to speak. We thus showthat we wish to "play the game," aud wo thought our opponents claimed to be "sports." But is it fair play to try to hide our arguments with paint? Could not the bur windows be used for hostile arguments, if there are any.'

Jiut as such an action is certain to do more harm to the Trade than to the Prohibition Parly. I wonder whether the offender \\as not a Moderate. "Save mc from my friends," the Trade may be saying. In their zeal Die Moderates arc very likely to damage what case the Trade may have.

X tiv.a neara tnai iuc uiuki crowa would not give fair play to uiiy spcaker, but felt sure the charge was unfair. But a little raoro of the folly of last Saturday in trying to stop a speaker, and. in smearing paint over our window will force mo to believe there arc pome trying to keep Otaki'o name bad. I expect that the future opportunities will reveal that a majority deHire every speaker to get a proper hearing. borne paint haS bean left by uie on the window to enable the fair-minded ? public to see how the other .side tights. [The police have the matter in hand; I yet if the offenders inform me and exj press regret the matter will no! go to j Court.—Your.-, etc., | If. WHITE. j Otaki. March lit. 1919.