The Liquor Question and Politics.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18013, 4 March 1924, Page 6

The Liquor Question and Politics.

The letter from the Rev. John Dawson, general secretary of the JST.Z. Alliance, which -we print to-day, will convey to many people a suggestion much too serious to be passed without notice. Mr Dawson expresses his pleasure at the donial given by Mr C. Speight, to Mr Dawson's own statement that the liquor party is working to secure a dissolution of Parliament this year. "The liquor " party," Mr Dawson adds, "is the " only party that would benefit by "having a poll this year," and he expresses the opinion that "the trado «' would rather spend thousands of '' pounds in securing a Parliamentary |

" poll this year without a licensing " poll than have to face a licensing "poll next year." He concludes by hinting at a danger that "the trade" may change its mind "and seek a dis- " solution as a means of protection for " themselves." The suggestion is that the Trade may Bpend thousands of pounds to corrupt the Legislature, or a section of it, and that the Legislature can be corrupted in this way. We are not concerned to defend the integrity of every member of Parliament as being perfect, but we wonder whether Mr Dawson has thoroughly considered all the implications of his statement, the area over which —and the directions in which—it carries suspicion, and the unjust prejudgments for which it makes provision. A dissolution can be granted only upon the advice of Mr Massey. Is it to be understood that Mr Massey is regarded by Mr Dawson as purchaseable by the Trade or by anybody else? It would be a great pleasure to us if we could feel that the Prohibitionists would repel such a suggestion, but this we cannot feel. But if Mr Dawson himself is not thinking of the Prime Minister as a tool of "the "Trade," then of whom is he thinking, , and what is the plan which he suspects "the Trade" may carry into effect? Are we to suppose that the Trade can use its money to persuade the parties, or sections of them, to sacrifice their party considerations and devote their energies to bringing a dissolution about by some tactics which we cannot imagine? But others besides members of Parliament are concerned in this matter. There are many Eeformers who are, and who have been ever since the general election, strongly of the opinion that only through a dissolution can there be found a more stablo political situation than the present one. This view has not been shared, without large reserves, by "The Press"; our own opinion is that the Liberal Party ought to face the facts and abstain from factious opposition pending a redistribution of its members and supporters in harmony with the fundamental cleavage of political thought along the line dividing moderates from revolutionaries. But Mr Dawson's statement amounts, whether he intended it or not, to a hint to the public to conclude, should "The Press" or anybody else on the Reform side find it necessary to advocate a dissolution, that the explanation will bo the receipt of "thousands of pounds" from "tho " Trade." Surely Mr Dawson cannot fail to perceive the injustice of encouraging peoplo to deny beforehand any honesty in an attitudo which the highest national considerations may force one to adopt. Should a dissolution become necessary, Mr Massey will ask for it, and we shall support him, without regard to the infamies of innuendo, but it is intolerable that the Prohibitionists should bo allowed to make the liquor question dominate all considerations of general politics.