MR BOON SPEAKS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 24, 29 September 1913, Page 5

MR BOON SPEAKS.

[To The Editor Stratford Post.] Sir, —In your issue of September 2Gth, a letter is written by someone who has not the backbone to sign bis own name, but crawls, behind a nom-de-plume, and makes a personal attack on my “consistency” in contracting to build an hotel at Toko, because I a*m an advocate of prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors. I make no secret about this, that I am prepared to undertake all descriptions of building work, in town or country, whether hotel, residence, factory, shop, cowshed, etc. 1 , and I strive to, give value in work for money received. I have the hotel to build at Toko of twentythree rooms, one of which will bo used as a bar for the sale of liquor. I am a builder and the house I build has nothing to do with the sale of liquor. I have no say whatever about the license, which is at Toko at the present time, and if I had I would not grant any license. I told Mr Hint/., the owner, that I was a ncHcense advocate and a total abstainer, and I think I am honourable enough to complete the work in a satisfactory manner.

I strongly advocate the building of good hotels; but without a license to soil intoxicating liquors of any kind. T contend that I would be a c oward, if, for the sake of my business, I were afraid to open my mouth against the degradation that is wrought by this vile stuff. Citizens are so used to ■seeing men under the influence of liquor that • they take no notice. Is it consistent to:—Make a table to sell liquor on ? | Sell a chair to stand in the bar? Make a pair of boots for the hotelkeeper? Make a suit of clothes for the barman? Sell him a jug to pour out of? Take a photo or sell a pot plant? Build an accommodation house?

Sir, I do not believe in boycotting the publican: I contend that lam justified in carrying on my business on the same lines as I have done for eleven years in Stratford. 1 was the successful tenderer for the additions to the Club Hotel,, worked on the Tariki Hotel, ' and on the hotel at the New Plymouth railway station. But the use of alcohol unfits men and women to carry out their duties as citizens and workmen, and thousands in this Dominion are slaves to this vile stuff, and I warn young men not to touch it as it unconsciously creates this appetite, and kills ambition to improve oneself. Thanking you for inserting this reply.—Yours faithfully, JOS. W. BOON, Builder and Contractor.