CORRESPONDENCE. LEADERS WHO DIFFER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 258, 30 March 1914, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE.

LEADERS WHO DIFFER.

To tin- Editor. I Sir,—On Friday you report the opening ceremonies at the Doi'alto ltoad, where Air. J'rowne said "he hoped that some Logan Campbell or Myers would arise in our midst." On Saturday you give a short extract from Mr. Visiter's speech at Masterton, where he says: ''This brewery monopoly should'l/e hit up," anil then describes it as " producing criminals and lunatics." l'lainly, sir, these leaders of thought and action in their separate spheres differ. Mr. Browne wants money even though it be through the retention and extension of the brewery business. Mr. Fisher, also moved by financial considerations, condemns the brewery business as producing, not healthy or innocent enjoyment, but criminals and lunatics. No doubt Mf. Hrowne did not say ail that was in his mind on the drink trade. lie only wanted to find some wealthy men who would endow some schemes for improving our town. A very worthy desire, too, if not bought too dearly. A development of the. liquor trade would mean a larger proportion of criminals and lunatics, and though some of the money got might perhaps be spent in the way that Mr. Hrowne desires, the great bulk of it would not be so i expended. The wealthy men of whom he speaks after gaining profits from the business, so graphically described by Mr. Fisher, did not, ami do not, spend any serious proportion of their wealth on philanthropic enterprises, but merely on personal gratification. This aplies to all the liquor traders. I do not suggest that our worthy Mayor is oblivious to the mora! and social evils resulting from the drink business. He merely allowed his zeal for the material prosperity of the Uorough to outrun his belter judgment. Kinphatically, we do not want any criminal and lunatic factories even though all the money they rake in were spent in beautifying our already beautiful town. The two wealthy men mentioned, or their representatives, practically rule the liquor business in the Auckland province, and from it have gained their money, and made their benefactions. There is a way out of the difficulties which both these gentlemen have to contend with—Mr. iirowne's need of money, and Mr. Fisher's honor at the work of these '''criminal and lunatic factories," The way is simple; abolish the whole trade. Though some may fancy they see come pleasure in it, there is no profit to the community; and if sensible men or women will just make out a profit and loss account, setting out what what they can ' imagine we, gain by this trade against the crop of crime, lunacy, bankruptcy and misery, and then strike a balance, and act as that balance must indicate, they will at the first opportunity vote it out of the country.—! am, etc., fi.ll.M.