STATE PURCHASE AND CONTROL.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17625, 30 November 1922, Page 9

STATE PURCHASE AND CONTROL.

TO THJ XDIXOB or " THT! FRXSS " Sir, —On December TtU, Ne-.v Zealand's electors Kill again have the opportunity of deciding the very important question of how best to deal with drink. The middle course ■will, I feel sure, score better «than on any previous occasion, there being many who have thought tli© matter over seriously during the last three years and, like myself, have decided we should give it a trial before taking the extreme step of trying to carry Prohibition, which, should it eventuate, will certainly bo an injustice to many, besides causing much turmoii, dislocation of business, loss of revenue, and expense, however much Prohibitionists inr.y say otherwise. Prohibition advocates may find themselves in the same state as the niuu wlio, having got rid of one evil spirit, could not lind the Test he was seeking, and thereupon made friends ■with seven others more wicked than himself. For them also the last state may be found worso than the lirst. There are three evils to be considered; would it not be wiser to choose the least and strike out the top and bottom lines this time and experiment after wo Bee tho matured results of Prohibition in other countries.

We may avoid their mistakes and save ourselves a lot of trouble and loss. In tho meantime wo may improve our toleration for the feelings and ideas of those who do not. agree with us and generally obey the command to ''be temperate in all things.''—Yours, et °'' "VIA MEDIA."