OUR LETTER BOX.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 250, 19 November 1903, Page 2

OUR LETTER BOX.

(We arc at all times willing to publish correspondence on matters of public interest, but it must be distinctly understood that we are not identified with the letters of our correspondents.—Bd. Dally New*), THE DEFUNCT LICENSING BILL. (To the Editor). Sir,—For years past we have bran saturated ad nauseam with the cold water douche of the Prohibitionist party. We have been' assured that the party demands the total abolition of the sale, manufacture, Importation and consumption of alcoholic liquors. 'Touch not, taste not, handle not"—tin* is the motto the party has inscribed on its banners, and it will not be satisfied until it has got it. The logical conclusion is, that where No-lice<tse is carried, the sale, manufacture, consumption, etc., of alcoholic liqtujg must cease in that district, and this is formally en-acted by clause 9 of the late Bill. But Isitt, Taylor and Co., having gone to 'Ell and conferred with the senior member for Christchurch, have come to the conclusion that this clashes with tfcs liberty of the subject in all districts of the colony, with the exception of the .King Country—at present. Why the liberty of the subject should not be conserved in the King Country—now mainly occupied by European settlers—they do not condescend to explain. It rs to continue to be illegal that you or I should liavo a glass of beer with our dinner at the hotel, but any prohibitionist may sally out to preach total abstinence and return to his bedroom to find a flask of whisky hid behind the door. The Prohibitionists have made a votto face, and now declare that they do not want prohibition; their only attack is on the trade—the license to sell. But they went to retain the license to buy for storage in their own homes. Their idea of prohibition is a class distinction. As Sir William Kussell very well put it, " The Prohibitionists' creed was to rob the' poor man of his beer, and leave the rich man wth his seller full." As a matter of fact, the power to buy cannot exist without the power to sell ; destroy the on* and tho other must also expire. To a logical mind, the attitude of the Nonconformist party, i.e., the Prohibitionist party, in regard ;to th© Licensing Bill, is inexplicable, Mr Charles Booth, in hiS(_great work on " Life and Labour ofthe ]>eople in London" supplies a key to tho enigma. In hiis great review under tho head '• Religious Influences," Methodism is ticketed as the denomination " economical of truth." "The Wesloyan body"—l am quoting Mr C. Booth's wonds— '■■ is indeed at bottom a country organisation. . ". ■.

With nil its energy, activity, enthusiasm and zeul tliero is something hollow, unsatisfactory and unreal about We.slcyanism as a religious influence which 1 lind' it difficult to put into words. . . The enthusiasm and overwrought emotions of the Wesleyans produce a false atmosphere of exaggerated language. . . . This economy of truth and exaggeration in order to obtain money is carried further by some of the undenominational missions ; but in selWoception the Wesleyans have no equal." Well, as compared with London and other large centres, wc of Taronaki may consider ourselves a country organisation, but I appeal to my fellow settlers as to .whether a do- f nomination economical of (ruth is the one best suited to the moral and social requirements of the community ; and the recent debate on the Licensing Bill, together with Iho tactics of tho Nonconformists thereon, emphasise the untruthfulness and insincerity of tlmt party—a party that if, right or wrong, determined to force its will on the people. ]ty an ungodly compact with a few weakkneed and nddle-pated churchmen, the chapellites have arrogated the title of •• Council of the Churches." Hut the leaders of the churches have repudiated the connection. U>t all real churchmen unite to rotate the insinuation ; all true liberals, all freemen who value their freedom . join hands to repel this assault on our liberties. With Timothy wo say, " Let no man judge you in meat or drink." And as to tho right to buy, sell, manufacture, or consume " strong drink," we also fay, with Isaiah, •• Destroy it not, for a blessing it is."—l am, etc.,

riiuitouuH. New I'lymouth, 18th Nov., 1003,