TWISTING THE TRUTH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 271, 15 November 1935, Page 16

TWISTING THE TRUTH.

Considerable use is being made at present by the New Zealand Alliance of statements in favour of partial or total abstinence "by well known men and women. It is fairly obvious that these statements are being masqueraded as prohibition sentiment. Names of people have .been used who advocate temperance, and possibly self-imposed total abstinence under certain circumstances, but who certainly do not advocate compulsory total abstinence for all and sundry. No sensible person has any quarrel with the teaching of temperance, but the inference that an advocate of self-imposed total abstinence is an advocate of prohibition, without authority from the person concerned, is deceitful to say the least of it. It is obvious that to-day the prohibitionists cannot find any further support whatever for their experiment from outstanding men and women in any walk of life. While the N.Z. Alliance confines its activities to the teaching of temperance, public support will not be lacking, but while what is left of that body continues its fanatical pursuit of the prohibition will-o'-the-wisp public opinion will be increasingly antagonistic. The approaching licensing referendum will give the people of New Zealand an opportunity to record their feelings in the matter. Indications are that New Zealand sentiment will coincide with public sentiment in England, America and elsewhere, emphatically, rejecting prohibition by striking out the two bottom lines on the ballot paper.—(Ad.).