LICENSING POLL.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16478, 22 March 1919, Page 9

LICENSING POLL.

"AEGRESCIT MEDENDO."

TO THE EDITOE OT "THE PRESS."

Sir,—ln reference to the question oF Prohibition, so well advortised in each daily, i 9 it not lime some dofinite stand should be taken by those who believe in preserving the rights of.evory British subject against the machinations of the wowser? An ultimatum thrown out now would perhaps make some of tho wowser element think before they vote the liberty and right of all men away. Past experience proves an Act passed not in accordance with justice cannot bo enforced. If Prohibition is carricd it will be on tho vote of the women. Tho men (I say "men" advisedly) will not voto it. Wowsers, of course, will. Should it not be definitely stated that any firm known to be owned by, or run by, a wowsor, would, if Prohibition bo carried, bo boycotted by all moderate peoplo. Some will say it would not be possible. It appears to mo to be feasible. Unity, of course, will be necessary. Tho mapority of women rely upon men for their money; these men can insist where it is to be spent. Again, has it oeeurrod to tho wowsers what loss of liquor to the man who has for yem-s been accustomed to it will mean ? What is to prevent him falling back on drugs? Drugs can be made hero, the malting of which it would bo impossible to stop. • Those who hiive seen the effect of drugging know the effect is far worse than drink. It is r»ot so many years ago that whisky stills were in many country gullies. Bo?r is quite a simple thincr to make, but is far stronger, as a mlo. than when made by a brewery in large quantities, and properly mellowed.

It will bp impossible to force this law if rnrncvl. and it is quite time somo rlpfinito plan of nation is formulated by tho moderate drinker. This could be made known to the wowsers. I ofton wonrlpr if, amnnrr their leading liphts, thev hnvo a man who has ever done a ImrrJ flnv's work—hnllnolfiTirf Tlot Ctllill rlrivin<r I moan. Do t>>py know what it mean*, aftor a fatirminsr dny, to linvo tho bnnofit of n tot nf wbiekv before teo ? "Pprsomllv, I it a +*in«r to look forward to. TToninqr I hnve not on your space too much. —Yours, etc.. KAT T>TA. Christchnrch, March 18th, 1919. DICTATION TtV TUT.T.OT PAPER. TO THE EDITOR O* "THE TRESS." Sir, —I notice in your issue of today's date that you have discovered a fresh offensive in the prohibition attack in the shape of an attempt to dictate by ballot paper. May Ibe allowed to ask on what ground you assume that the offence of dictating is confined to prohibitionists in such a connexion? A ballot paper with the top line struck out is a properly authorised way of expressing the voter's opinion that the liquor trade should be abolished. In like manner a ballot paper with the bottom line struck out shows that it is the wish of the voter that the liquor trade should continue. Is there not quite as much dictation in the latter as there is in the former? You say of "tho army of people" who, according to your reckoning, object to prohibition, that "they ao not like to be dictated to and do not wish to dictate to others." But as a matter of fact they dictate to others every time they cast a vote for the continuance of the liquor trade, for they say in the most emphatic way possible to the thousands in this country who are cursed by that trade in health, in pocket, in character, in comfort, that no matter how much they may suffer nothing must be done to bring them relief. And even in tho unlikely event of their not voting' at all, by their habits thev dictate the continuance of a trade which thev cannot but know is to many others a dangerous, and, indeed, n deadly snare. It will probably be found on April 10th that the great bulk of the people of this country have grown tired of being dictated to in this fashion bv those who have thought more of their own appetito and their own purse than the public good, and that they will use the power given them to secure helpful consideration for the thousands who are robbed of all that fnakes life worth living.—Yours, etc., W. J. WILLIAMS. March 20fch. |"our correspondent's letter, though dated Thursday, did not reach us until yesterday afternoon. We refer to it in our editorial columns. —Ed. "The Press."]