NO-LICENSE TACTICS.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 117, 16 November 1908, Page 4

NO-LICENSE TACTICS.

Kefemng to the disorder which has prevailed at meetings held for the purpose of placing the arguments j in favour of License before the Elector, the New Zealand Times in a sub-Leader speaks thus : — ~ The No-License people are giving New Zealand a foretaste of their quality. They want not only to close the hotels, but also the nioutfcs of their opponents. They are flp anxious to prevent the other ' side from getting a hearing that they howl down the speakers who convene meetings to place facts and figures before the electors ; and they are mo unscrupulous that they misrepresent the^actions of those associated witk the 'trade at every point. . ... | But such tactics must defeat fchem- | selves, not only because they are fcka lowest and most despicable class of engineering, but because the public, which in the main is just as wb|l as generous, is able to appraise the motive and resent the method. . . . . Are the prohibitionists afraid of aH appeal to public opinion ? Are fchesjr apprehensive of the effect on the public mind of the contents of fcke circulars of which they so vehemently complain ? It would really seem «>. The object-lesson is a valuable one to the community. It discloses witb vivid emphasis what the public na*y expect if it allows fanaticism to prevail; if it permits the No-License Leagues to exercise the power of their organisations to inflict the gag upon all with whom they happen te be in disagreement. Every moderate elector who at the coming poll exerts his vote to strengthen tfie hands of these immoderates will do his share towards placing the halter round the neck of freedom.