Page 4 Advertisements Column 5

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12648, 8 November 1905, Page 4

State Control. Do you believe in State Control of the liquor traffic? If you do, of course you have good grounds for your belief. A common - sense, every - day individual doesn't usually hold a bel ief without foundation. DO YOU THINK In the first place, that the State CAN Control it ? Well, the State doesn't make a very good job of controlling it under present, conditions. The Publican is legroped in all directions by means of Acts of Parliament, By-Laws, etc., and the Police Department is on the look-out all the time. Now, Just See What Would Happen if the State were to acquire the Liquor Traffic! In the first place, a Very Large Sum of Money must be expended in purchasing the businesses now in operation. Then, a Large Staff of managers, maids and men, must be engaged. Of course practically the same number of individuals are now engaged in the trade, but do you <>think they are (in the average) likely to be SUITABLE FOR GOVERNMENT SERVANTS? Don't you think the State would want the best men and women obtainable for the service ? Can you for one moment imagine the Government appointing ardent Temperance people to the posts, so that DRINKING MAY BE DISCOURAGED ? Or isn't it most likely that the State would want the Drink Department to show a profit, just the same as Railways,, or any other Department ? and, that being so, would not the nian who was the business man—that is, made his Particular Pub. Pay, be' appointed to larger and still larger hotels, until he reached the position of General Manager? Can you imagine the State promoting the men who made the greatest annual loss ? Not much ! If the State acquires the " Trade " it will be for the PROFIT IN IT! And is there anything more loathsome than that the State should make the degradation of the people a matter of business ? First make a man a drunkard, and then punish him for being such, after he has done his best to help on the departmental returns by drinking. OF COURSE YOU WILL SAY that the manager or barman will have no incentive to sell to men who are ruining themselves. No! Well, what induces men to serve the State? Isn't it simply to be ir^constant employ, and with the hope of promotion ? IF THAT IS SO, how can a man hope for promo- • tioh if he doesn't serve the State as well as he is able ? The thing is, absurd. The State will run the pubs, for a profit, just the same as you would if you. ha t d one. Now, Mr " State Controller," just apply a little sound common sense to the matter, and think what you would do If you were Premier short of cash, the country clamouring for public works, and the State possessed of the Liquor Traffic. I guess you'd bustle those along, and SO WOULD THE AVERAGE IMAM. STRIKE OUT THE TOP LINE. -■-•iv- : ''*-,■ ' ' : "■