The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY APRIL 1, 1882.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Issue 1038, 1 April 1882, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. SATURDAY APRIL 1, 1882.

Last evening the Masterton Debating Society had a very intelligent discus #ion on a phaze of the temperance question, which is perhaps less hackneyed than others m > the effect of free trade on the consumption of spirits. It: was proved ver y conclusively tjjoV the removal of restrictions absolutely increased the quantity of .liquor '.'consumed, and that consequently from this point of view the state was justified in regulating the traffic.; On the other hand it was argued that if the traffic was an evil the state instead obstructing it should suppress it and the reason why it did not do so was .because it derived so large a proportion of revenue from the spirit, duties, The real'reason why no Ministry has ever proposed to stamp out the importation an'd'.themanufacture of spirits is'un. doubtedlf because public opinion is'not injfavor-of such a measure.' We do hot.belieL that-any intelligent. Colonial Trea U rer. would'be afraid;6f sacri-. nng thfc s tom's - enormous sUclilair HHI fnjl'i'.s'ppngeh'isV.mom 1 .easily: a' ; dry-onej'^-Md'"-the JHiould more : readily obtain taxHSfrom a jtemperatp provident corn-

munity, than from an intemperate;and improvident one. Should any politicalJ party in this country ever propose;: the entire "suppression of the importation and manufacture of alcohol we venture to assert that tho movement will not nor ought not to be shipwrecked by any consideration of loss to the customs revenue,