CORRESPONDENCE. PERMISSIVE BILL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 11, 12 July 1873, Page 11

CORRESPONDENCE. PERMISSIVE BILL.

TO THE EDITOB. ■ - • Sib,— l was suprised and disappointed at the way you expressed yourself in regard to the Permissive Bill. You will permit me to give utterance to my thoughts and feelings on this matter. lam not on© of those enthusiasts who would promise themselves marvels from the Bill ; yet, I trust that some good will come out of it, and with this hope I will tender it my humble and strenuous patronage. I agree with you that it is for us a paramount duty, to promote temperance and check the advance of the opposite vice by moral means, by education and good example. I say with you that, in order to shame drunkards, public dislike and greater horror of drunkenness must be raised to a greater degree. But I go farther, Mr Editor, I consider that those moral means should be supported by coercive measure! of some kind. It is the duty of the legislators, who are the fathers of the country, to protect and correct aB far as possible the great family entrusted to their care. Now, let it be affirmed that this very bill in question is one of those measures calculated by illustrious leaders at home, and a mass of people with them to diminish considerably the crime of intemperance. If it would prove inefficacious or difficult in practice for large towas, it would certainly tend to preserve new settlements from the contamination of the degrading vice, giving time to temperance to take root in the hearts of the people. Again, sir, it surprised me to Bee you treating so lightly a project advocated by bo many men of intellect and experience ; and I still more do wonder at it when I think that you must be aware of the strenuous efforts that are being made here, at Christchurch, and elsewhere, by the clergy and people, preparing petitions to the General Assembly in accordance with their views and desires Your correspondent has kept you informed of it. The state of legislation on the Oontinent on this point does not justify you in your assumed opinion. Nay, with all respect, I am compelled to say that you are ignorant on this particular matter. Only yesterday, being accosted by an Irishman, after a few words of conversation, I was told by him that in France they had adopted strong repressive measures against drunkenness. ■' What measures P" rtid I say, as if ignorant of them. " Well," he answered, " for the first offence there is a fine of 5 francs, for the second offence there is a higher fine still, and for the third offence there is imprisonment and loss of civil rights for two years." Let us not talk of pure moral means without some sanction from the law. For instance, how long shall the victims of intemperance be alone amenable to Court, and those who make those victims escape all punishment ? According to your opinion, the Permissive Bill, if passed, will be the cause of cabals, oppression, and conspiracy. But are not public houses indefinitely multiplied the hot beds of such cabals and conspiracies ? Is it not at those places that several electors profane and sell, for an unworthy potation, what is most sacred and dear to the country,/™*? votes ? If cabals and oppression are to be apprehended in large towns, it should not be so in small and new settlements. Therefore, limit, if you like, tha action of the Permissive Bill, but do not refuse absolutely to give it a hearing. After all, should it please you to reject it as restrictive of intemperance, favor it, as affording to the people an opportunity of practicing in a most important matter what is dear to them, what is their right — self government. I am, &c, A Catholic op Wbhington.