CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1919, 19 February 1885, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE LICENSING ELECTION.

To the Editor. Sib,—The result of yesterday's contest mustbo gratifying indeed to the publican interests of Masterton, making them feel' "' perfectly assured of the strength of their""", position,-'Witha largo majority,of tho ' : - people favorable to them,: with'/the, " ministers of the Gospel" on their side, """ and supported as they are by the bulk of.. professing Christians, they can-indeed ' afford to look with disdain upon the M*:.'.''a efforts of a few temperance' fanatics' Wv am seek to check the growth of the liquorwL trade and the consequent increase crime and ■ drunkenness, But ■ wait- : .a:V. V while, The temperance fanatics, stung:' by yesterday's shameful defeat, beifgfto ask themselves who are their friend™d... ■ • to enquire if there is anything but fraud. >: and deceit in those who support them,.;:... ■■ Thesefanatics begin to ask where 'wero : " -:; the ministers yesterday, those'who de- .J. nounco ao bitterly the public kduee fr0m.;,..: the safe shelter of their pulpiM r wherewere they during the heat of the battle I' Our Christian friends too, those who wear the blue ribbon and pretend to give "moral support" to the temperance cause, why were they absent from the" polls ?"" There is but one reason and that Is' that ministers and people are of one mind.witfl with the publicans and no not wish to see their trade checked. Shame, Sir! Bitter,.;' :/ shame! that this should be so, but bo it is, and while such a state of things, holds — we Wonder that men like "Ivo" rise . u ; p to derioynge both ministers' and re:...,./. ligionas liars and lies, Yesterdays fight was but preliminary, in a few weeks time tho r-ea] question at issue will be fought out,.. are we to have an increase of Licenses 'Qp'r not? Are we to have increased neßses crime, poverty distention, and •■•'• misery or not I That is the qfltion - which must be answered at the balHUox ■ and upon tho Churches and the Ministers • devolves the responsibly of answering.it," - -- -v. lamote,,'' . ; ..-. . A Bito' Blue. '