THE PROHIBITIONISTS' DILEMMA.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 April 1919, Page 3

THE PROHIBITIONISTS' DILEMMA.

As the date of the licensing referendum draws near, many people are growfcg more and more dissatisfied with the attitude of the Prohibitionists towards the suggestion that they ought to prefer Prohibition without compensation to Prohibition with compensation. It is natural that Prohibitionists should wish to see Prohibition in force at the earliest possible date, but the position they have always taken up on the question of compensation makes it so unnatural that they should abandon one of their most-strongly-held principles for the sake of reaching their goal a few months earlier j that people are asking why the carrying of Prohibition now is represented as vitally important. To such questioning the Prohibitionists have replied with a | want of candour that is surprising in people who claim to be the special custodians of liberty and truth. They have realised that arguments based upon financial considerations—such an argument, for example, as that it is worth paying over five millions for a few months of Prohibition—are quite useless, and they are taking the line that, even if Prohibition could be carried on April 10, it could not be carried at the three-issue poll. Their method of handling this matter is so obviously designed to cause confusion in the minds of the public that it is desirable that the simple .truth of the matter should be simply stated. And that simple truth is this": That the condition necessary to the carrying of Prohibition at the coming poll is exactly the same as it will be at the three-issue poll. If the Prohibitionists can secure a majority—of even one vote—of the votes cast nex't week, Prohibition will be carried. If they can secure a majority —of even one vote—of the votes cast at the three-issue poll, Prohibition will be carried. It will be no more difficult for them to carry Prohibition at one poll than at the other; there is no handicap imposed upon them at either poll. They are required in each case only to secure a bare majority of the votes' cast. That they are seeking to create the impression that the contrary is the case is greatly to their discredit, and we shall not be surprised if the people whom they are seeking ot mislead show their resentment in a practical way next week. Nothing will suit them but Prohibition; snd it dbes not matter greatly tp most of them what the alternative to Prohibition may be, although we believe many of them would prefer continuance to State Control. They have accordingly no ground for complaint ovpr the threeissue poll. They cannot expect Prohibition to be enforced unless a majority desire it, and no obstacles are placed in their way in looking for that majority. Why, then, do they fear that nine or twelve months hence they cannot secure the necessary majority? That is the crucial question for them, and, we should be glad to see their answer to it. The truth of the matter is that when they decided to stake everything on the 'Efficiency Board's policy, the Prohibitionists expected that the war would be going on when the poll was held, and that they would be able to secure a majority through the exploitation of the public zeal for "war-time efficiency." The war •came to an end, however, rather inopportunely for them, and it was won. we may ask them to notice, without the assistance of Prohibition. Now that the war is over, and the peace treaty is presently to be signed, the effectiveness of the plea for "efficiency" is growing steadily smaller. By the end of the year there will be a few remaining of those emotional people who Avere misled by the Prohibitionists' exploitation of the war 111 the interests of Prohibition. If the cause of Prohibition were making an increasingly strong appeal to the intelligence of the nation, the Prohibitionists would regard time as an ally, and should feel confident of success at the three-issue poll. But, actually, they do not regard Time as an ally, and no wonder. What they are striving for is victory by a snatch vote, for they know the tide is running against them. THEREFORE DO .YOUR DUTY AT THE POLL ON THURSDAY!