DON'T SIGN WOWSER PETITIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 August 1918, Page 2

DON'T SIGN WOWSER PETITIONS.

To tlie Editor, Sir, —Not .being a so-called "'Wowser" myself, being in the habit of taking a. drink occasionally, and, having gladly signed the petition, asking the Government -to take a poll, 1 take strong exception to such, an expression as was used in your local columns of yesterday, I would like to ask the person who put in tlie advt. which produces the most" inmates for our jails, lunatic asylums, charitable homes, also wife beaters? Is it strong drink or signing a "so-called Wowser petition?" If lie can prove that signing a "Wowser" petition produces the most, I will ask for my name to be removed from the same, and will gladly *ign liis petition. In conclusion, abuse is not argument. Therefore if the; Trade has no reasons to support their petifem, the sooner they bum their petition the less harm they will do their own'cause.— I am, etc., G. E. BLANCH AED, New Plymouth, August 23rd.

To tha Editor. Sir, —For the stun of twopence spent in a copy of tho Daily News this morning we get a valuable hint, free of any ;further outlay, running something like this "Don't sign the Wowser Petition, they are agitators; they should be interned, etc." Now, we will look at this little 'bit of advice from: a charitable point of view, and wo will couie to the conclusion that tho author of it is more to ibe pitied than blamed. No doubt this man lilies his freedom; he likes to be able to step into the nearest saloon while passing along the street, and' call for a long 'beer when he is in want of something better to occupy his mind- He likes, if he is still thirsty—and most likely he is—to foe able to step into the next one, and get just another to satisfy his tltirst, and, again, if it is a very sultry day, it is freedom to be in a position to call for another whisky and! soda to cool one l down a little. It Jiclps the poor publican along too. These are the men we must jave from themselves. They cannot resist the temptation- (Let us hold out a fiand to them; let us, by signing the "Woiwser" petition, protect their homes, their wives and {families and their creditors. Emin- i cut doctors all tell us that the children of even moderate drinkers are of weak nerve, wfak blood and often the heart is below normal. Then, I ask, where is the trouble thus going to end? I cannot honestly "believe that these men, "lioense agitators," cannot see the evils drink is working in tills young 1 country, nor will 1 I insult their intelligence by .rehearsing them. Let them sit down for j only a few moments and think for- them- | selves. As for tie revemie, granted it is '£1,000,000; even were it double or -treble : that, thff money iff here, and it should Ho used to- far better advantage. Then, again, not half the' revenue' would' 'bo re-/ quired, the annual cost of the upkeep of cliarit'aible aid, mental hospitals,, etc., would be reduced to a minimum. Tlie allow- mentioned! littla tit bit in tins' morning's Daily News- is, howeve?, a' very (mod advertisement "for the other side of tho question, it-is. more-conspicuous than: anv they could have composed for themselves, —I am, etc., ONE Or THE. "WOWSERS." JnglewooJ, 23rd. August.