THE EXCISE BILL.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 43, 14 November 1907, Page 5

THE EXCISE BILL.

noticed that the Government aro bringing down an Act, so as to allow manufacturers of non-alcoholic drinks to put 3 per bent, of alcohol. If this Act goes allow them to bo sold to the public as nonalcoh'olics. I think this is one of tho most serious matters that has occured in this Domiuion for years. It is probably an attempt to hit at the prohibitionists of the Dominion and compel them to take alcohol when they tliihk they aro drinking a non-alcoholic. There is no country in the world that allows a non-alcoholic to contain more than 2 per cent, of alcoholic. If this Act goes through it will bo one of the greatest calamities that has ever fallen on tho Dominion. It w'ould mean that every fruit shop and re-freshment-room would bo selling out alcohol, and'tho effects of this on our younger generation would quickly bo seen. I can scarcely credit that, tho Government can know what they are about to do. The majority of the beer, browed in New Zealand, 1 have been informed by an authority, contains 4 por cent, of alcohol, and we have seen the effects of what only a couple of glasses will do on a strong man. linagino our children, then,drinking a so-called non-alcoholic in largo quantities, containing 3 per cent, of alcohol.

1 do ■ hopo that every right-minded member of Parliament will do his utmost to prevent this wrong being dono by tho Government.

I. think, that no alcoholic should contain more than 1 per cent, of alcohol.—l am, etc.; , A FATHER. Wellington, November 13, 1907.