CORRESPONDENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 105, 11 August 1910, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE

ALCOHOLICS. To the Editor. Sir,—That old ideas concerning alcohol die hard is evident from the plaintive apology of "C.W.W." in Monday's issue. The poverty of his, reasoning is equally -evident, He says: "As alcohol is the product of some of the most wholesome fruits and grains ... it is difficult to conceive that the instrument can otherwise than go into the alcohol." Let us apply the same reasoning on some other substances. Soine of our most 'beautiful colors are ttyb "product of coal tar ; it is difficult to conceive that the offensiveness of the coal tar can otherwise than go into the- colors. Did "C.W.W." never hear of Chemical action and chemical change? I think he has; if not, a Technical School hoy will tell him. The stigma of "virulent poison" has not been (bestowed on it by prohibitionists, as such, hut by the foremost scientists of the day, who tell us that there is no such thing as a "judicious infusion of the alcoholic element" except on the same lines as opium and suchlike poisons may be introduced, that is, in its right place, which is in the drug shop, with a red label on it. We affect to despise the Chinese vicious use of opium, which they are manfully struggling with, despite heavy odds against them, and when we exhibit' the same wideawakeness in regard to our national vice the better for us. As to cholera, well, Horsley says on page 289: "It is a recognised clinical fact that a drinker is less resistant than he should 'be to attacks of cholera. . . . During the cholera epidemic in Glasgow in 1848-49, Adams observed 225 oases, and found a death-rate of 19.2 per cent; among those addicted to the use of. alcohol." So that if alcohol cures, it does not prevent as it should do if "C.W.W." is correct in his reasoning. Yes, it may seem paradoxical that, in spite of "perfervid teetotal oratory," Good Templarism, and what not, our national drink habit is still so strong, but suppose no voice had been raised, and no enquiry had arisen as to this thing, where would we he? HowI ever, the darkness is, passing, and the time will yet come when the alcohol advocate will be classed with slave advocate. Future New Zealand is now in the schoolroom, .and when he emerges from it, well, we shall see perhaps American experience repeated.—l am, etc., N.T.M.