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Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 105, 2 May 1908, Page 7

(Tβ the Editor.) Sir,—The letter of Mr T. A. Black in tie "Star" of Saturday last is an excellent example of how asquesdon may be discussed in an apparently, rational and judicial spirit by one whose, standpoint and whose premisses are . altogether wrong, irrational,- and to that etstent "rabid." It is well known that many yicI tims of mental delusions can arguei calm- ' ly and logically upon ■ the subjects by ! -which they are obsessed; b,ut all their 1 show of reasoning power does not de« j ceive- those who are clear-headed enough to get behind the logic-chopping business end to examine the ideas, assertions, and preconceived notions that, form the basis of the reasoning. Those well-intentioned people, like Mr Black, who wish to'"remedy the many evils resulting from the drink traffic" cannot be looked upon: as thoroughly rational and practical beings so long as they hold that the proper means, to this end is the closing of all the hoteb in the land. ■ They may assume the "fair judicial spirit" in their■writings, and it would be well, if more followed the example of Mr Black in this respect.. But all the time their reasoning leads to no valid -conclusion, lieing based upon false conceptions of human nature and the practical means of removing its weaknesses. ..". ■ . What is the rational ac distinguished, from the rabid method "pf combating moral evile of any.kmd;?. (I suppose all will admit that the question of intemperance is a moral one, and not one dealf ing with ■ non-sentient physical; forces.) If we take an analogous evil-7-thaf' of gambling—we find all the morajista and casuists agreed that the 'gambling spirit is not in itself an evil. The spirit of speculation or venture, is admitted to be one of the grandest attributes of humanity; and its exercise has /been fraught with the most beneficent results. When, however, the habit of speculation is carried' to- excess aniT is imported into all kinds of sports and amusements, it becomes an evil which calls for the attention of legislators and moral reformers. What are the remedies applied? On the part of the legislature,, restriction and regulation; on the part of thfe education, reasoning, and persuasion. No one is so irrational as to make the attempt to crush out altogether the 'spirit of speculation and venture; to close all the stock- exchanges and share .markets; to prohibit the formation of gold and coal-mining companies; the exploration of strange' lands; and the exploitation of new markets. No; for the sufficient reason that to do so is impossible, and, if possible, would prove most disastrous and. fatal to all Now, intemperance is, in like manner, an excessive and hurtful development of a habit that fs not in itself an evil. The proper use of stimulants, or of sedatives, has done much for the happiness and progress of the human race. It, is the abuse alone that hurts. "If the craving for stimulants is in itself natural" —there is no "if* about it- The experience of mankind in all ages, and in every part of the earth, has proved conclusively that the normal man desires and requires stimulants. Every nation and tribe, without exception, has developed this craving, and discovered means >of'satisfying it. People of weiik fibre in every nation and tribe have abused the cheering and healthful habit,; with results that are disastrous to themselves arid are deeply deplored by .their., iellowe. But the fact that there are weaklings in every community constitutes no sound reason for the majority resolving td 1 make the quixotic attempt to banish all ! stimulants from the land. ■ The true and I national remedy is to regulate the traf- : fie in the article that is so sadly abused, and to restrain by law those who have, lost the power of self-restraint. Moral diseases require moral remedies; arid any fair, judicial, and rational petson- imUst admit that "force ii no remedy" for evils thai are «aucnd by th» -weakness or perverted appetites of* mankind.

I greatest agency .for "moral reform |and the. most rational way to promote temperance, - iSf.'fche cultivation ot. brain power in,,the units, composing the community. Then, not only would,intelligence dictate-the. proper use* of .js.timiilants, but:.the . individual wouid a<_ui_e power tojresist intoxication.'. . It;, is 7a matter of ..notoriety intellect can drink with no overpowering results, .four ,or-five times -i_>*7°. 'ii. aor required to meke'.a nayvy oi- fireman helplessly druiik/ Brains and will-power -are ' the gf es&- steadying agents.. And, workers 'desire: and require- stimulating food and .drink. . It, at the present time for medical men to prescribe abstinence from int__a<_iit_;'' but do they themselves .always abstain? Decidedly not. ' 'It is no ; _xagger...io_. to say_ that quite ninety per cent. of. the! brain-workers . (including niedieal men)' use alcoholic liquors. And it is'/a'sin-. nificant fact that at-, every dinner 'oi ihe British Medical such liquors are provided in abundance—for use, not abuse.- Cultivate. I say; intelligence-" and brain power in the'individual, -and-vou Will abolish the "rabid" drunkard on the one hand, and' the "rabid prohi__ioni__ on <the other.—l am, etc:, ■'••-' i '" ; C. JOHNSON." Manakau-road. -■' ■-'■• ■ [This correspondence . nas occupied sUch a very large share of our space during the last few weeks''that we,think, it can very well give place for a while to same other current topic. The chaiiipTb'ns of License No-licerise "are' apparently prepared, like . Tennyson's j brook, "to flow oh for7ever!"—Ed.)'"' I