EQUALITY OF SACRIFICE.

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 259, 18 January 1917, Page 8

EQUALITY OF SACRIFICE.

Sounds nice, does it not? Our statesmen talk largely about it, and yet no statesman in the British Dominions dares to enforce it. They are compelling mothers to sacrifice their sons, wives their husbands, children their fathers, young men to leave behind farms and businesses to go to ruin, but they dare not compel the brewer to give up his iniquitous business. And yet upon the word of Admirals, Generals, and Army doctors we know that if the brewer were to give up his business, then fewer lives would be needed, munitions and much-needed reinforcements delayed by drunken workmen and drunken firemen. The efficiency of all is greatly reduced by using alcohol Still does the Government refuse n stop the waste. Food is badly needed, but no statesman dares to refuse the brewer his supplies of grain and sugar. Little children arc deprived of their lollies, and their mothers cannot make jam for want of sugar, still the brewer must not be stinted of his sugar to waste. Equality of sacrifice ! Humbug! COMPENSATION. Is Lloyd George’s scheme of State Control only another way of compenstaing the liquor traders? Does the Government intend to buy out breweries and distilleries only to close them? Well, if so, we believe it will be a good investment for the State*. In fact, hardly any money cost would be too great to pay for deliverance from this evil. But why should we pay to enrich a trade monopoly which the Government has the power of closing on the ground that it is dangerous to the public good? Everybody else is told that they must be prepared to sacrifice for the public weal. Why not compel “the trade” to make a sacrifice? MILITARY SERVICE BOARD. We have followed the proceedings of this Board very closely. We cannot help wondering why the Government, who have laid it down as a rule for their guidance, that all must sac ifi. e for the State in her time of need 1-. the same Government that refused, in response to an overwhelming demand from the people, to force the liquor trade to sacrifice four hours out of fourteen trading?

ROUMANIAN PATRIOTS. When Roumania drew the* sword she followed the example of her great ally Russia, and entirely prohibited the sale of intoxicating liquor. Her Minister of War and other leaders were the owners of vineyards, in which grapes were grown for winemaking, and of plum orchards, in which plums were grown for the* distiller), but they decided to sacrifice their pecuniary interests for the common good. Pity we don’t breed that brand of statesman here.