INVERCARGILL'S RECORD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLII, Issue 6, 8 January 1908, Page 7

INVERCARGILL'S RECORD.

TO THE EDITOR

Sir,--" Veritos" in his last letter i accuses myself and Mr Nicholls o| A claiming that '' all the prosperity , of Inv^rcargill has been caused by ■tiie operation of no-license. Your correspondent wilfully misunderstands the position. I have never j once claimed this much for no-license, j aor has Mr Nicholls. " Veritas " delights in setting-up a man of straw, In order that he might demolish his ■own creation—this process giving him infinite satisfaction. Surely, however, no-license might be credited with a contributory share in accentuating InvercargillV prosperity and in fringing about a better moral tone in the community. That is all its advocates claimed for it. " Veritas" would deny this much, but in doing $c lie brings himself into opposition with many of the prominent business men of the town, who have published statements-to the effect that business and morals have benefited by the of no-license. I think they «an be trusted to know their own "business best. Re my statement as 46 the "drunks" in Blenheim on Christmas Eve. This is not a " rash <©r iilT-considered statement." It is literally true, and "Veritas" knows it is true; that is if he has eyes and «ars—and is not wilfully blind and <deaf, to his surroundings. Our Blenheim record is good, as I said lief ore, because not half the offences ■ars sheeted home. As to the families who have gone to Invercargili to escape the perils of the: open bar* I "based my assertion oh the Rev. R. Ferguson's speech, supported by the *ditor df the Outlook.. They know InvercargilL better? than Blenheim folks do, and^ I would rather believe their testimony than the denial of *' Veritas." I am sorry I must ttgain mention the JeHyman's Hall eargie, but as ■ your correspondent ia. so dense I must further explain, especially as he asks why did I introdtice -t into the discussion. The 3>oint I was illustrating was that Blenheim's police record would not be -quite so good if the police .sheeted liome offences, against law and order, -and I mentioned the JeHyman's Hall affair as a case in point, where the perpetrators of a flagrant offence were allowed to go "scot free." Now, Mr '■" Veritas," has the force of this penetrated to your inner -consciousness yet, or do you need further illustration? VERITY.