THE GREAT MODERATE PARTY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 72, 12 August 1912, Page 7

THE GREAT MODERATE PARTY.

To the Editor. Sir,—The Great Moderate Partv distinguished itself in the delmtc on 'rhmv day on Mr. Malcolm's Bill. Among the members of this party there is still ail amount of diversity, "but they all bear the drink mark; that is, they are all for retaining the liquor trade. Their' moderation never goes as far as abstinence, neither for themselves nor for anyone else. Of course, moderates never do anything; they simply object to being interfered with. .Tust as the demons in Holy Writ .said, "Let us alone," so these obstructionists wish to have things let alone, so far as any curtailment of the liquor trade is concerned. They see so many dangers -ahead if any attempt is ; made to abolish the trade in intoxicants. One, like Mr. Statham, sees some danger to religious liberty. (Poot fellow!) Another like Mr. E. Newman, is unwillingly compelled to vote against, the Bill. Wiiy Aid Mr. Newman go to Parliament if in the end 'he is compelled to vote against his will? Another great moderate, Mr. Glover, said the country did not desire this legislation, and yet in November last 250,043 votes were cast j for national prohibition, being a majority over the liquor vote of, 54,282. Some would ihave 55 per cent, for the local and not for the national issue|;( others- would ihave 55 per cent, for the national but not for the local issue. So in their quandary they sank back into the great moderate party's paradise— j "do nothing." Even Mr. Myers was \ willing to make sonve change, and add to the duties -of town clerics the responsibility of dispensing alcoholic drinks. Tlve Temperance Party can, however, get some satisfaction out of the debate. No one had the hardihood, whatever he meant, to stand up in the House and declare that strong drink was a good) thing; they all wanted some licensing alterations whic'_< they presumed would be improvements, pure liquors, State control, or free sale. Another source of satisfaction to the; prohibitionists is that the question is free from the usual party divisions. Among the 42 who vorted against the Bill there were 21 Government supporters and 21 Oppositionists, so the discredit is equally divided. As one reads the debate through it is quite plain that members are in a difficulty. They know that the majority of voters are in favor of prohibition, and, of course, of the Bill; yet they want to please the minority, too, and themselves, if they can—hence the wriggles. It reminds me of what I used to hear said i in Devonshire, when I was a boy, about a man when he tried to please and side with two opposing parties. They -said he was trying to go "between the oak and the rind, where the Devil can't go." Some of our old settleTs will understand the metaphor. In conclusion, I would remind tlhe electors of Taranaki that Mr. Okey voted right without attempting any explanation. So may he do always, t —I am, etc., G.H.M. j