THE LICENSING ISSUE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1922, Page 4

THE LICENSING ISSUE.

The vote which has to be cast by the electors to-morrow on the liquor question must necessarily be dictated by personal feelings on which doubtless they have already made up their minds. At the same time each voter has a responsibility which extends above and beyond the personal equation. The main question at issue in whether the sale of intoxicating liquors shall be allowed to continue or be swept away. Therefore, it involves the consideration of which course is in the best interests of Jhe individual and the community. There must, therefore, be taken into account the moral, physical, social and national aspects of the liquor traffic, as well as its bearings on efficiency and economy; also, on the other hand, whether the carrying of prohibition will bring worse evils in its train. The loss of revenue prohibition would cause is a consideration to be weighed, but by no means the most important. A very ■strenuous propaganda campaign has been carried on for some time past by the advocates of both prohibition and continuance, and it is not. surprising the minds of many who are conscientiously desirous of doing what is right and in the best interests of the country are perplexed. It is for them, however, to take a broad and just view of their responsibility, and not to treat it lightly or to be swayed by purely personal or political motives.