MR. BRYAN'S VETO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 289, 29 April 1913, Page 6

MR. BRYAN'S VETO.

To tlm Editor. Sir,—That the Secretary of State in the United States of America should decline to supply wine to his guests at a great diplomatic banquet is certainly a matter worthy of note by the Press Association; and its importance should not be lost sight of in your columns. It is undoubtedly startling to some people that Mr. Bryan should adopt such a drastic policy in dealing with the drinking customs of the day. Yet he is a man of affairs, well known the world over, and knows tlie world, too. We cannot think thai Mr. Bryan has taken up this atti'tude towards'wine-drinking without due thought. He evidently holds to the opinion of temperance reformers everywhere, that there is very great risk and also very great immediate harm in the use of alcoholic beverages, and, on the other side, no benefits. Some of your readers, Sir, may think it a startling statement to make that there is great risk and great harm and no good in the usei of wine, etc., yet if doubters of this will only take the trouble to weigh the damage done by drink against the benefits derived from it they will soon find that there are no standards large enough to measure the resulting evils, and no analysis fine enough to detect the microscopic benefits. They will be compelled to come to the conclusion of our greatest statesmen and judges that the drink is the greatest evil we have to contend with. What is then to be done? Mr. Bryan replies, "Renounce it altogether." But, Sir, the thought that comes to my mihd when I read the cable news was as to how it might apply just now in our own country. We have lately set up a "Reform" Government. Will they help on this great reform that the American statesman has attempted? Are they prepared to amend their ways, or to justify them openly? And coming a little lower, we are this week electing majors all over New Zealand, chief magistrates to preside over local affairs. How many of these are prepared to follow Mr. Bryan and exclude the alcoholic drink from the entertainment they offer to their friends? The Social Democratic Associations might add this question to those others which they are submitting to all candidates for office. This ia a tempting theme, but I refrain, and subscribe myself,— TEMPERATE.