THE LIQUOR QUESTION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 109, 28 October 1911, Page 8

THE LIQUOR QUESTION

A REMARKABLE PAMPHLET. There has lately been issued 1 locally a booklet by Robert Macaire, who, no doubt with Professor SalmontPs blast against national prohibition in his mind, describes himself as a "student of mora) philosophy in the University of Mankind and graduate- in the school of experience." Mr. Macaire gives what are evidently personal experiences in regard to the liquor traffic and these are sufficiently startling to make the average citizen think very hard. He sets himself to portray the abuses in "the trade," and to show that in very truth the liquor frequently supplied to the-unsus-pecting customer is an "irritant nar-| cotic poison." A short chapter on this, and a vivid description of the evolution of a criminal seem to supply the reason for the title of "The Disease" applied to ttie first part of the booklet, the remainder of that portion being devoted to he possibiliy of national prohibition, and J some thoughtful remarks on the claims of every individual to freedom of choice in the rational ordering of his daily life. In the second part Mr. Macaire sets himself to solve a difficult problem. He boldly claims, not only that there is a remedy for the evils which are so rampant in our midst, but that there is only one remedy, which he sets forth clearly and succientl.v, summing it uip with, "In demanding tlie remedy outlined herein, it seems clear that its whole-hearted application would result in benefit to all classes of the community; that it would diminish drunkenness and degeneracy, pauperism and crime, lunacy and suicide; that it would' not adversely affect the revenue, but would encourage fanners and grape-growers, and assist the honest trader. In fact, .its advantages are incalculable, It certainly has never been tried 'be|fore, but it is in every way practicable; searching examination fails to disclose its weakness as a business proposition. Let but the will be there, and the rest is easy."

There is no doubt much to be said in i favor of the proposals put forward, and I should; national prohibition not be car-] ried at the coining elections, it may be' expected that a genuine reform of the I liquor trade will become a question that Parliament will have to 'face. In thati ease there will be much that is valuable! in the regulations outlined by this writer, who finishes a powerful appeal for the re-modelling of the traffic with the words, "And so shall New Zealand, attacking with vigor the real ulcer in her, midst, cleanse herself from a grave rcv proach, and show the world that, with-! out launching into hazardous legislative experiments, she is able to protect her citizens from an insidious foe by practical and statesmanlike measures, wisely and steadily guiding them in the path of ■progress to the fore-destined goal." Whatever opinions may be held as to the absolute efficacy of Mr. Macaire's demands, there can be no question that the pamphlet inaikea moat interesting reading, and its originality and able] treatment of the whole subject cause it to stand' out agreeably from the many! contributions to this much-deibated issue.

Some of the expressions used justify the epithet of "original," and some samples will not detract from the interest of a perusal of the booklet Says he:— |

"Beer there (in England) is a .gentle soporific; here a draught of insomnia." It "he who drinks beer thinks beer," he who drinks poison thinks poison—and acts it.

Self-righteousness is a coat cut by a cheap tailor.

To remonstrate with any self-respect-ing citizen for taking a glass of wine is an impertinence. To tell him you will pvay for him is a provocation to homicide. And, in a different vein:—

King George V. proposes to visit his dominions in regal state. Have the extremists contemplated the obligation to compel him to be without wine during his stay in the country, and his entourage to refresh themselves at the water-! tap, or go to gaol? For the rest, it may be said that careful reading of this publication should repay members of both the rival parties,! and it should be kept for reference in] anticipation of iprobable developments in j the future.

A final chapter, "A New Order of Things" is distinctly humorous, and contains "some germs of feasibility." The pamphlet is obtainable for sixpence at the local booksellers, and should] command a ready sale.