"WHAT DO PROHIBITIONISTS WANT."

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9585, 27 November 1896, Page 2

"WHAT DO PROHIBITIONISTS WANT."

TO THE BDITOB OV THE PRESS. Sra, —In your leader of to-day you deal with the above subject. With much that you advance I heartily concur, and I would like to say that I think that the prohibitionists are likely to do their cause a grievous harm if they maintain the extreme position taken up by some. I am hoping to see the time when prohibition will, obtain throughout New Zealand, but I am not anxious that it should be secured by a bare majority vote. It would be far better lo accept the three-fifths and be satisfied. I know that the bare majority is in harmony

with constitutional principle, and the democratic ideal, but, Sir, on such a great question as that of the prohibition of the liquor traffio, I am willing to give way, and ; accept a three-fifths majority. As J'ou point out, prohibition so won is likely to be permanent, a victory snatched by ft bare majority to-day, may be reversed to-morrow by a re-action of sentiment, and if prohibition is gained thus and then 'lost, it will be many a year before the victory is re-won. I quite agree with you in your remarks on that part of the prohibition manifesto which says—"The first question to be asked of any candidate is not, «Iβ he Liberal or Conservative? , but • Is he or is he not willing to give the people of New Zealand the complete control of the liquor traffic f " That principle, if carried out, would send the greatest political ignoramuses to Parliament eimplyiHJcauae they were willing to vote for prohibition, and would result in disastrous results. It would not be only prohibition of liquor, but prohibition of everything that contributed to material and moral advancement. As a temperance party we have had great concessions in the temperance legislation of recent years, and it is to be hoped that 'the position gained will not be jeopardised by the exacting; and despotic attitude of ultra-prohibitiouists. There are other points which could be touched upon, but I know your space is too limited for a long letter. —Yours, &c, A Prohibitionist But Not an Extremist. November 26th.