“THE LIQUOR ISSUE.”

Southland Times, Issue 20081, 19 January 1927, Page 7

“THE LIQUOR ISSUE.”

To the Editor.

Sir, —I am well pleased that my sharpshooter has brought another valiant-in-the-field in the shape of “Anti-Humbug,” a would-be defender of booze, but when he has fired his pop-gun he shoots nothing but dust and chaff. "Anti-Humbug” is quite wrong in stating that I do not give credence to any statement opposed to the interests of Prohibition, because I keep an open mind on the question of Prohibition. I do not drink, nor am I financially interested in the liquor trade, so I am capable of considering both sides of this great question. On the one hand I know the immense amount of evil and degradation wrought by the consumption of alcoholic liquors. The drink habit stands in the very forefront of all

social evils and no one even attempts to deny it is the prolific source of crime, disease, insanity, poverty and death itself—that can be proved up to the hilt. On the other hand I am fully informed that the “wets” in U.S.A., contrary to the law of the country, employ a number erf criminal, base and evil creatures to import and sell alcoholic liquor, and some grow ridh on their ill-gotten gains. Whilst I am glad to state that 99 per cent of the people in U.S.A, for the most part arc honourable and loyal citizens, even then it leaves a full million of creatures to carry on the foul and dirty business of rum-running and sly-grog selling. I will not have “Anti Humbug” besmirching the character of our honest, capable and trustworthy business men, regarding their relationship to the manifesto one hundred and fifty of them signed, because they knew, as all supporters of the Prohibition cause know, that only by truthful and honest measures and faithful work can any good cause be brought to a triumphant issue. The manifesto that these gentlemen issued and signed was their well-grounded conviction and experience, for they all had benefited in many ways, as well as the citizens at large, by the abolition of the liquor bar. I state that “Anti-Humbug” is talking sheer nonsense about the clear-headed citizens be-

ing trapped into signing the manifesto; they deliberately and knowingly signed the document. One of the greatest and most powerful preachers of his time, that is. the Rev. Joseph Parker, D.D., said—“ The publichouse is the gate to Hell. Who could write II he story of the ruin it has wrought? Oh, | the misery, the heartbreak, the desolation, ! the orphan hood, the murder, the suicide, the madness for which that accursed house is responsible!” All too true!—l am, etc.. “ECONOMIC.”