Special Public Warning.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 March 1919, Page 5

Special Public Warning.

LIQUOR’S LATEST! DR. VALINTINE’S INDIGNANT REPUDIATION. “IMPUDENT USE OF MY NAME!” WELLIGTO, March 27. On hearing of Liquor’s latest subterfuge in displaying and circulating a so-called “proclamation ’ bearing his name, Or T. H. A. Vahntlne (Chief Health Officer, and InspectorGeneral of Hospitals), telegraphed as follows: “Firstly, I have to say that the proclamation did not emanate from myself or from any officer of the Public Health Department, and I never attached my official or private signature o any proclamation in connection with the licensing movement. Secondly, I have never authorised any person or persons to use my name as a private citizen, in connection with any such statement, and am taking immediate steps to prevent this impudent use of my name. You are at liberty to make use you like of this telegram. —(Signed), Valintine, hief Health Officer.” This bogus "proclamation” is probably the most cold-blooded, heartless, and infamous fake ever perpetrated on a long-suffering public. The “proclamation” deliberately sets out to scare and inflame the public mind with threats of a return of the late and appalling epidemic, and implies that by voting Prohibition on April 10th, the people of New Zealand will leave themselves unable to get adequate supplies of liquor.

SO MUCH FOR THE FAKES. NOW FOR THE FACTS. Fact 1, —Happily, so far there are no specific signs that the dread epidemic will rcturn_ Fact 2. —-Should, however, such become tLe case, the Health Department can be safely relied upon to give tlie necessary warning. It will not be left to the profiteering Liquor monopolies to gratuitously perform this public service. Fact 3. —Section 19, Sub-section 2 of the Incensing Amendment Act, 1918, states: “Nothing In this section shall extend or apply to the importation, manufacture or sale in accordance with the regulations made by the Governor-General in Council in that behalf of intoxicating liquor for medicinal, scientific, sacramental or [ industrial purposes exclusively.” Moreover- the purity of the alcohol, stocked by the Health Department will be guaranteed We will no longer have to put up with the doped and adulterated article. Fact 4. —The Minister of Health has made the following statement. —In the event of National Prohibition being carried, the Public Health Department would have to carry stocks of alcohol for medicinal purposes. To get this medicine the people would require certificates, and arrangements would be made for the Government doctors to give these certificates free of charge.

PROHIBITION THUS PROVIDES FOR THE USE OP ALCOHOL BUT PREVENTS ITS ABUSE. But, of course, this is no good to thjc Liquor interests. will no longer be able to make huge profits out of the degradation of the people! And there’s the rub!’’ Thursday, April 10, will record the reply of the New Zealand public to the traffic which is reduced to such contempt. The public is further warned that SINCE THE LIQUOR INTERESTS HAVE AT THIS EARLY STAGE PUBLISHED SUCH 'A MALICIOUS DOCUMENT, IT MAY BE QUITE TAKEN FOR GRANTED THAT AS POLLING DAY APPROACHES, SIMILARLY FALSIFIED STATEMENTS WILL BE PUBLISHED, AND FOISTED ON THE PUBLIC IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY. THE PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND SHOULD RESOLUTELY REFUSE TO BE INFLUENCED BY ANY LIQUOR ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND SHOULD FIRMLY RESOLVE ON THE ONLY EFFECTIVE REPLY. STRIKE OUT THE TOP INE, ON THURSDAY, APRIL 10th.—Advt.