To the Editor.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43380, 1 October 1908, Page 2

To the Editor.

Sir, —In your issue of the' 29th inst., I notice Anti-Humbug is still bent on trying to gull an enlightened public. I would like him to understand that we have no quarrel with the moderate drinkers, although I have never met a person that would admit that he was drunk—they are all “moderates.” My aim is to try and remove temptation from our young people, and to try and lift up those who cannot resist the temptation of strong drink, as long as it is in their midst — [ drink that stupifies the brain and robs men and women of everything that is noble and virtuous, and leads them into everything that is degrading when taken in excess. We cannot get away from the fact that the open ' bars are a temptation to our young people. The moderates require no temptation. Does Anti-Humbug wish us to believe that the curse of sly-grog shops could ever do us the same harm as the open bars do ? 1 maintain that it would not. Would you see any self-respecting young man or woman sneaking around corners to go into a sly-grog shop ? 1 say no. The only ones who would patronise them would be old soakers. The sly-grog shops would do no harm to our young people, while the open bars with their bright lights and company encourage young people within their doors. We all have our own opinion, therefore I will not quote anybody else. In my opinion alcoholic drink is a curse. Ido not wish to ram my opinion down anybody’s throat ; they can believe it or not just as they like, but there is no getting

away from the fact that we would be far better without the open bar. The hotel keepers themselves cannot with truth deny this. In conclusion I would ask every rightthinking man and woman to give No-License their earnest consideration. -1 am, etc., Stobekkepek.