NO-LICENSE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 223, 13 June 1908, Page 9

NO-LICENSE.

Sir,—la your columns I see a Mr. Atkinson has been " lecturing' on "Why labour should vote No-Liceiise: from personal observations in Ashburton." How long was Mr. Atkinson in Ashburton? If'personal observation of tho permanent residents of Asliburton was responsible for the violent, change between 1902 and 1905, it says little for NoLicense. In the former year a three-fifths majority for No-License; in 1905 a clear majority of between 200 and 300 for restoration. However, as Ashburton-is going to carry restoration this year the matter may be left. Given a fairly good public police-super-, vised liquor trade I would like to know one valid reason why labour or anybody else should vote No-License; I am aware thousands will continue to vote it. Those who don't think and those who won't" think, mostly fooled by clap-trap, such, for instance, as getting thg-mayor of a town to' state how No-Lieenso • succeeds there. Is anyone foolish enough- to' think , that tho man responsible for—the management of a town would admit his own town was stagnant and degraded? Not, much. The question is—Does No-License promote temperance? In other words—Does it diminish liquor consumption ? You hear a lot about its wonderful success-in Amcrica, but when you touch the question of liquor con-' sumption No-Licenso silence is just a little deeper than the grave. Equally: with NoLicense, customs and excise duties in America have increased by leaps and bounds. In 1906 England shipped 'to America' 56,855 barrels of beer, and in."1907,, 77,426 barrels." In 1906, 941,891 galloni:of .spirits, and in 1907, _ 1,002,667 gallons. In New Zealand the liquor consumption per head .was 35.Bd. greater in 1907 than in 1906. With a large proportion of the South' Island under. No-Liconsa and some of the North Island, and many thousands of people living in these parts, if the system was any good thero would surely bo some small' decrease at any rato. In Invercargill in 1907 under NoLiccnse more duty was paid by £160 odd than was paid in 1905 under Licenso. Obscrvo how No-Licenso decreases tho liquor consumption.

I say again, sir, that the man who has a •well-conducted police-supe'rviscd" liquor trade, and who would voto' to abolish it (but not to abolish or restrict, liquor consumption mark you), and would substitute the system of sly grog-selling and homo drinking unlimited which invariably , follow No-License docs not realise what-harm ho is doing. I will answor no replies 'to this unless tho writer will begin by affirming and proving that' No-Licenso decreases liquor consumption. ' ■ ■ • If it fails in that it fails in everything and to argue further is but to beat the air! —I am, etc., OBSERVER. .June 10, ISOS.