Page 6 Advertisements Column 4

Taranaki Daily News, 14 August 1918, Page 6

Why The New Zealand Alliance accepted the proposals of the National Efficiency Board FOR The Prohibition OF THE Liquor Traffic 1. It is imperative to have the traffic ended, if at all possible, before the conclusion of the War. 2. The ordinary Poll was postponed in 3917, and there is no hope of its being taken this year (1918). 3. Even if an ordinary Poll could be secured in 1919, and if National Prohibition were then carried, it would not come into effect until 1924. 4. The ordinary Poll is taken on a handicap vote. 5. The Efficiency Board's proposal provides for an immediate Poll, and for the corning into operation of National Prohibition, as soon as the vote is carried. Exemptions will be clearly provided for alcohol for scientific, industrial and medicinal purposes, and wine for sacramental use. It is clearly understood also that the Board intended the vote to be upon a simple majority basis. i. The direct annual cost of the traffic is not less than £4,500,000, and the indirect cost is at least as much more. The maximum amount suggested by the Board as payment for compensation does not exceed £4,500,000. The saving to the Dominion during the 4i- years would therefore be between £30,000,000 and £40,0Q0,000. 7. The Board was satisfied that its proposal was not only "a sound investment," but would also "promote permanent national efficiency.'' 8. In estimating the amount of compensation to be paid the following fac'.s must be taken into consideration; — (a) That the prolongation of the life of Parliament has already given "The Trade" an extension of ayear beyond the three years' term to which they were entitled as a result of the poll of 1914. (b) That if the ordinary Poll had been taken in 19.17 the probability is that National Prohibition would have been carried, and if not, that many electorates would have carried no-license which would have become operative in July of this year (1918). The annual cost to the Dominion in moral wreckage cannot be estimated. It has greatly increased during the War, and it is feared that its extent will be appallingly greater if the traffic is in existence when the War ends. The Alliance therefore, bitterly as it regretted the necessity for any payment whatever, could not accept the responsibility of opposing this Business Men's Movement, which contained so great promise of the immediate abolition of the traffic. The Alliance has already made it clear to the Government that the proposal has been accepted under war conditions, and only that the traffic may lie ended at once. If this Poll is not granted, a demand will be made for National Prohibition, without a ny payment whatever, upon a simple majority vote, and to become operative immediately. Should this Be refused the next Parliamentary Election will be fought upon the right of the people to have legislative effect given to their legitimate demands. The National Efficiency Board considered the evidence of over 60 witnesses, representing producers, manufacturers, merchants, brewers, hotelkeepers, employers, and others. Judicial, Magisterial, Medical and Military evidence was taken. The Board reported: "From a national efficiency point of view the Board is convinced that it would be beneficial to the nation and conducive to the well being of the people that the importation, manufacture and sale of wines, beer and spirituous liquors (including medicinal prepart containing alcohol) should be prohibited." The Board proposed % . "That legislation be passed submitting the question of National Prohibition to a vote of the people at the earliest possible moment, and that such should be upon the basis of immediate ■ prohibition, accompanied by reasonable compensation to the interests affected." The Board is satisfied "that compensation based upon the foregoing lines would he a sound investment for the State, and that the cost would be recouped by increased national efficiency." The AH«m«e Monster Petition will give us the PoII—SIGN TO-DAY!

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