A FEW FORCIBLE FACTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 3022, 20 October 1908, Page 5

A FEW FORCIBLE FACTS.

APPLYING TO SMALL SHOPKEEPERS- AND OTHERS. Sir,—Have you given any attention to the effect that No-License will have upon your businesses? We read about the stagnation of trade that has been brought about to the small storekeepers in the prohibited districts of Ashburton and Jnvercargill, but how it is brought about is not as fully explained as it ought to be from the small storekeepers' point of view. The larger businesses seem to be those that are consulted by the No-License Party, because they know full well that NoLicense increases their business very considerably. Perhaps you will say "Why should the larger businesses increase under No-License, and the small storekeepers go back?" Well, I will try and give a fair reason for my statement. In these electorates, where the best part of business comes from the stations and farms, it is the usual thing for a very considerable number of men that are employed on these stations to come into Masterton, either on sale days or Saturday. Now, these men have no occasion to come into town every week, but they know that they can come in under the present conditions, and meet one another and g:> and have a sociable glass and a friendly chat. Now, the result of these men being in town every week is that they make their purchase at the first shop, large or small, that they strike. The further result is that in nine cases out of ten the small man gets th 9 benefit of their trade, as he is very much more in evidence than the large ones.

Another forcible fact of my argument as to how the large businesses benefit by No-License, is that these men that I refer to would not come into town every week, and do their purchasing, except for the fact that they know that there is the open licensed premises that they can use just as if they were their own houses. Do away with licensed houses and they would stay out at the stations for two and three months at a time. With this result, thai every station and farm employing much labour would keep its own store to supply the wants of their employees, purchasing the stores in bulk from the large firms; thus securing all the floating capical for the larger businesses to the ruination of t.ie small business man. Now, I think any reason; We thinking man will agree with me that my argument is based on facts. While on this subject, I would like to point out some items of interest to all ratepayers of this Borough as regards the loss of revenue to the Borough Council. Last year's revenue fromjjLicenses, £325. Loss ,pf water rate under NoLicense from the six hotels, which would,' be rated at Jd rate, as they would not be used as dwellings, £145. Loss on the General Rate owing to the reduction of unimproved value which is always higher on account of License, say £IOO General reduction of all unimproved values in close proximity of Licensed premises, say £6O £630 These figures can be substantiated by the books of the Borough Council. Now, Ladies and Gentlemen, I ask you are you prepared to ' see the Borough lose this amount of revenue, and be prepared to put your hands in your pockets to the extent of another shilling in the pound rate, or will you let well alone? Having lived in a Prohibited State, and having seen" the effect of No-License, I feel that I cannot let this election go over without expressing my views on this great question as to how it affects Agricultural Towns. Trusting you will excuse me for trespassing on your valuable space, and hoping all business men will endorse my arguments on election day by voting for Continuance and British Freedom.—l am, etc., T.H.