THE FIFTY-FIVE PER CENT. PROPOSAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 75, 15 August 1912, Page 6

THE FIFTY-FIVE PER CENT. PROPOSAL.

To the Editor. Sir—With .your kind permission, I would like to make a few remarks upon the percentage question of the Local Option poll. When I saw in your paper last week Mr. Malcolm's purpose I thought it was neither wise nor necessary. If that proposal were carried it would not be final; the .bare majority would be the next thing wanted. There is too much legislation of a hotch-potch character. The Prohibition movement will make steady headway with the three-fifth.* majority, and I consider it is just and right from a Christian point of view. Moral reform and Christian enterprise to be of any value must be achieved by sacrifice of some sort. The bare majority for which so many Prohibitionists are clamoring offers no sacrifice at all, and moral reform becomes political reform only. Their object consequently is a matter of the number of votes, not moral nor based on a Christian principle. Fifty-five per cent, would not constitute moral force enough to enforce, the Act. With either of these proposals there is bound to be a great deal of irritation and litigation. I consider the House of Representatives has.acted wisely in rejecting the above proposal.— I am, etc., JAMES FORTUNE.