YESTERDAY AND TO-DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 July 1916, Page 7

YESTERDAY AND TO-DAY.

To Uie Editor. _ Sir,—On June 30 the province of Nova Scotia shut up the last uf her licensed liquor shops. To-day, July, Alberta, one of the north-west provinces docs likewise. . We thought at one time that New Zealand was on the temperance express, and out-running all parts of the Empire. Now New Zealand is scarcely moving on the bullock dray, whilst the other parts—Canada and Australia—are racing along as on a motor car. Take a glance at the position in Canada. Take Ontario, the most populous province; There we find 572 dry municipalities against 270 wet ones at the present day: but on September 1 next the whole province, with its three million population, closes all its liquor shops. It is to be noted that this is not the result of a direct appeal to the electors, but is the action of a conservative government supported by a parliament that was elected with an anti-prohibition platform. Mr. Hearst, the premier, says that the licensed jale of intoxicating drinks will only U«eTi be restored after the question of restoration has been submitted to tin; popular vote. Nova Scotia has been all dry for a long time except the chief city, Halifax, and yesterday that capital, too, closed its drink shops. Thus Nova Scotia is already dry. The vote was taken last March, when there was a two to one majority for prohibition, and that popular mandate takes effect very shortly. It is woi'thly of note that in this province there is a large alien population who are generally drinkers. Alberta, another north-west province, as a result of a referendum, will this month close all her 251 licensed houses. Tn Saskatchewan the only places where liquor can be bought are in 20 communities .where it is sold at Government dispensaries. The vote on prohibition is to be taken in this province in December next, ajid it will be strange if it is not carried. Quebec province has fIOC dry municipalities against 237 wet ones, and 44 dry Parliamentary districts against 28 wet. So when the referendum is taken, as contemplated, there need be but little doubt as to the resv.lt. The other provinces are all moving in the same direction—Prince Edward Island is all dry; New Brunswick is 80 per cent. dry; British Columbia is rising against a Government, that is slow to move in this reform, and now a referendum is promised. All this, without looking l across the Tasman Sea at Australia, makes us in this country feel very small and selfish; and we had better stop boasting about our patriotism until we are prepared to follow Ontario, and her sister provinces, and jettison the liquor habit and all its belongings.—T am, etc.. GEO. 11. MAUNDER.