THE DRUG HABIT IN AMERICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1921, Page 2

THE DRUG HABIT IN AMERICA.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Judging from his effusion in your Friday’s issue, G. H. M. either is the possessor of a very credulous nature, or is endeavoring to mislead the public. One would almost be led to imagine from his letter that he believed the report of the Chicago correspondent of the London Times was not genuine at all, but a fabrication of the Powers of Darkness, which he knows by the name of the Liquor Party. Personally, 1 am rather curious to know whether G.H.M. really believes this himself, or has he some ulterior motive? Does he really think that the correspondent of The Times would risk his billet by telling a falsehood that could be easily shown up, or is ho ouly trying to throw dust in the eyes of the public in order that they may not become acquainted with facts that rather contradict the Prohibition Fst tales of the peace, happiness and goodwill that they allege to exist' in the water-barrel Republic? Now before I conclude, I should just like to quote an opinion that I happened upon the otter day. Its rgeat value Iles In the fact that it is not the opinion of the member of either party, but just the sober judgment of perhaps the greater thinker in the world to-day. 1 am referring to Dean Inge, speaking at King’s College, he said in the course of an address on the State: —“Suppose the State has exceeded its rights by prohibiting some harmless act, such as the consumption of alcohol, the interference of the State in such matters is mere impertinence.”' 1 would ask yoffr correspondence just to think this over, not as a piece of propaganda, but as the words of a great and eminent thinker.—l am etc., BYSTANDER. New Plymouth, March 7.