THE INCREASE OF DRUNKENNESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 15, 18 January 1905, Page 3

THE INCREASE OF DRUNKENNESS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Every true man and woman must! be grieved at the deplorable increase oi convictions for drunkenness, as reported in last evening's paper. An increases of 409 for the year is sorry reading mi deed for all who have the interests of the community at heart. It ia an anomaly that, notwithstanding the increase in the no-license vote throughout the city, there is such a corresponding increase in drunkenness. What are the brewers and the moderate party going to do? They both profess to deplore excessive drinking as much as the prohibitionists. Surely there is scope for effort here if the profession be sincere. Will one of the party call a meeting to deal with this vital question, or is all the reform work to be done, as is usual, by the No-license Party? What will the Church of God do in the face of these facts? A 40 per cent, increase ;'/• of drunkenness for a year with it's corresponding increase of misery and crime should burn itself into the soul of every. Christian man and woman, and bring every feeling person to say with the the Bishop of Christchurch, "I would rather die than vote for continuance." As Lowell says, "The time is ripe, and rotten ripe, for change." A eriste lias arisen. The No-license Party ing on. What are the great body of people outside their scope, who deplore drunkenness coins to do is the question? —I am< etc-> c CONCERNED. J ■ ]