MR MASLIN AT GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2578, 7 November 1893, Page 3

MR MASLIN AT GERALDINE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—Mr Maslin says that the Government Liquor Bill was a retrograde rather than a progressive measure. On being asked to explain, he said under the old Act the discretionary power of the committee was against the publican rather than for him ; now it was in favour of the publican —that is, a committee could close a house if tiioy uiought it was not wanted, but will have to admit they could not close them all. Mr Maslin has often admitted, as a prohibitionist, that they didn't wai/c to close any one or two houses in a place. He was not in favour of that, but said their policy was to clobb all or none. Of course, Sydenham proves their policy. Now how can he show me that this Liquor Bill is a retrograde measure, while under this Bill there shall be no increase of licenses, they can reduce the number of licenses by a bare majority by twenty-five per cent and by so doing they can have gradual prohibition in a very few years—and if the people want prohibition in a hurry they can have it next year by a three-fith.3 majority ? Another important clause in the Bill: Hitherto the conviction was only endorsed against the landlord, and when a landlord had one or two convictions against him he left the house, and a new man with a clean sheet came in hia place; now the conviction is endorsed on the hotel, and three convictions close the house. Now under the old Act nothing of this kind could occur, and how any man standing for a seat in Parliament could say this is a retrograde measure I cannot see. If Mr Maslin wtuld throw down the gauntlet at once and say "I am prohibitionist out audout — whether the majority of the people want it or not it should be," iustead of using the electioneering dodge, " Wont you trust the people ?" Yes, Pilate trusted the people, and they cried out, "Crucify Him, crucify Him." This Liquor Bill is by far the most stringent Bill in any of the British dominions. Take, for instance, a glance at the English Licensing Bill, which the good teonplars there would hail with satisfaction if they could get it to pass. It does not give the franchise to all adult men and women, only to ratepayers, and then they could get prohibition only by a two-thirds majority. Then there were certain classes of hotels they could not dose at all, and if it were possible they had a two-thirdß majority they should give three years' warning before it could tak > effect. Now 1 think anyone looking, not from a prohibition point of view (because nothing will convince them,), at the last Bill, will admit, instead of it being a retrograde measure, it is a very drastic ur progressive measure, but nothing will satisfy some. I should strongly advise the electors to vote for a thorough good candidate, not one who would wreck the great Liberal party for their one fad. Vote for one who will serve the interests of all, and not for those who have got an axe to grind.— I am, etc., An Electok.