Prohibition v. Protection and Free Trade.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 208, 25 June 1887, Page 1

Prohibition v. Protection and Free Trade.

Don't be afraid, kind reader, Aye are not going to inflict a political argument upon you ; but inasmuch as just now men's minds are mostly agitated in reference to the proposed new Tariff, it is perhaps a favourable oppoitunity for considering the benefit to the Colony do be derived fiom the prohibition of the importation, making, or selling of intoxicating drinks. We "will give both Freetraders and Protectionists the'credit of wishiog naught but the welfaie of the Colony and its inhabitants, and we will take for granted that all the benefits supposed to be derived from the adoption of either course will accrue to us, find then we say that tne benefits are as nothing compared to what would be conferred ori all by Prohibition. The two great needs of the Colony, it poems from the discussion that is being carried on, are the settlement of the up-country districts and the encouragement of local industry. Now, we spend annually in intoxicating drink a little over two-and-a-half millions sterling. Tho amount is easily said, but it is very difficult to realize what euch a sum of money really is. Let us see what we could do with it. We could purchase every year :—: — 1,000 farms of 100 acres, at £1 per acre £100,000 £100 capital to each tenant for stock, seed, &c 100,000 1,000 freehold houses, at £200 ... 200,000 200,000 coats, at £2 400,000 200,000 pairs trousers, at £1 ... 200,000 200,000 waistcoats, at 10s ... 100,000 200,000 pairs boots, at 15s ... 150,000 200,000 pairs stockings, at Is 6d 15,000 200,000 shirts, at 5s 50,000 100,000 pairs blankets, at £1 5s , 125,000 200,000 dresses, at £1 ... .. 200,000 200,000 bonnets, at 10s 100,000 200,000 caps, at 2s 6d 25,000 400,000 chairs at 5s 100,000 100,000 tables at £1 100,000 100,000 clocks at £1 100,000 200,000 Bibles at 2s 20,000 100,000 beds and bedding, at £3 300,000 Pdnsion of £100 to 1,000 out-of work publicans 100,000 Benevolent purposes ... .• IS,OOO £2,500,000 Would our colony be benefited more, think you, by the imposition of an all-round duty of 20 per cent , or the entire abolition of customs and the admittance of all goods duty free ? Why, the impetus that would be given to every branch of trade by piohibition cannot be over-estimated. Our beautiful country, with its splendid climate, glorious scenery, and immense resources, would bo the Eden of the earth, and from all quarters of the globe the very best of men and women would flock to our shores, where they could be free from all the vice, inisory,

and grinding poverty that aro the neverfailing attendants of the liqour-traffic, however much it may be watched and guarded by Licensing Acts — " N.Z. Blue Ribbon Chronicle," July 4, 1885,