THE LICENSING ELECTION.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 51, 17 March 1894, Page 12

THE LICENSING ELECTION.

(to the editor.)

Sin, —I find a few citizens who earnestly desire the abolition of the drink traffic intend to abstain from voting next week for fear that “no license”' may mean increased taxation, and on that ground they ? thin is it “ better to do nothing at all. Will you allow me to point out that, firstly, under the new Act no one can be neutral. Unless hah the electres go to the poll things will remain as they are, so these good folks will really vote for the public houses. Secondly, it has been proved that the loss of the revenue derived from the liquor trade is more than met by the lessened expenditure and increased prosperity of the community, the testimony to this effect from the Prohibition States of America being simply overwhelming. Drink is daily manufacturing criminals, sick folks and paupers, all of whom must be maintained by the ratepayers. In this way we all, however’ unwilling, have to pay for the drink traffic. At a meeting of the licensed victuallers a short time since, it was remarked that in this colony no one need starve —a statement I heartily endorse. But so long as the drink remains, so long must we keep up our charitable aid boards, clothing clubs, &c. Doubtless it would take a little time for the improvement in these directions to iall. but an immediate result of the “ no license ” vote would be seen in the impetus given to trade. The money formerly spent in beer 1 and spirits would go somewhere. The man who hitherto expended 8s or 10s a week at the public house -would now spend that sum upon his family. Better food, clothing, and furniture would be purchased, to be followed in due course by luxuries now entirely out of reach. The elevation of the individual must necessarily mean the elevation of the community, and I hope that next week our townspeople Will speak with no uncertain voice for

No License