OTHER OMISSIONS RECTIFIED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3104, 7 June 1917, Page 8

OTHER OMISSIONS RECTIFIED

Sir,—The Rev. Archibald 15. Hunt is an orator of some repute. His rhetoric is effective, but sometimes hyperbole marks him for her own. In your nai">r this morning appears his attack on the National Government,'and also his statement attributing to the Prima Minister of Great Britain words he never used. My object in writing tliis is to state that' the Rev. Archibald E. Hunt ought not. to have obtruded to his hearers on Sunday afternoon on the occasion of Empire Day being c.elebvafqd either political or controversial matters. He was quite wrong in attacking the National Government, and he was quite wvon- in attributing to the Prime Minister language be had not uttered and which was over two years obi. when as a matter of fact the Right Hon. Lloyd George has been converted from the sentiments he expressed prior to Anvil. 1015. Why did not the Rev. Archibald E. Hunt nuoto the speech of (be Right linn. Lloyd George made in February, 1!)1T. when, in referring In die gentlemen enraged in the liquor .business in -fii-oat Britain, he used these words:—"Tho Government aro boiiind to recognise the patriotic spirit in which those who are e"«nged in this business have faced.all the restrictions which have hampered tbein and reduced their profits durin-; the wnv. Tf would not, be foiv to me not to reco-.'-nise that at once. They have accented all these interferences in a most liiudnb'e spirit of defevminatinn to do all thn f is in their power to contribute to the safety of the nation. . . . Tf there Are nnv failures 1 do not think the blame rest' upnn them. I am bound to sav so, and T think it is due to them." At the end nf April, mi:,, the Right Hon. Mr. Lloyd George, after having declnr-

Ed the month previously that drink wai destroying the efficiency ut the workers (believing the statements made to him by Prohibitionists to 1)0 Iruo), paid a. high tribute to the patriotism of those engaged in the licensed trade, and repelled tho attacks which the Prohibitionists had made upon the munition workers on account of their alleged intemperance. The discovery that the Prohibitionists had misled him caused Mr. Lloyd George to establish the Central Liquor Board of Control, which has purchased hotels and closed some and opened Others, even to wet canteens inside munition factories for the convenience ot the workers. Why did the Rev. Archibald Hunt omit such statements as riiese? Whv did lie omit the very latest statement made by the Prime Minister of England concerning Ihe best way to progress and temperance? Why did the reverend gentleman omit to quote Mr. ilovd George's appeal to a deputation of Prohibitionists just last month in Fnginnd? Let me quote what Mr. Lloyd George told this deputation of Prohibitionists:—"Personally 1 am of opinion,' he said, "that State' purchase is the best it-av to progress and temperance, thus giving the people local ontion." When the Prohibitionists murmured against this decision of the man who 21- years before had told them t/iat "drink was a "reater menace than the submarines of the enemv," tlie Eight Hon. Mr. Lloyd George cried: "For Heaven's sake don't let ns fight amongst ourselves! If the best (that is, State purchase as the best lvay to progress and temperance) is not obtainable, and the second best is, then let us take the second best Our formula is sobriety. Meanwhile the Government is holding its hand until it has ascertained the country's nmnion. Why does the Pev. Archibald Hunt attempt to create ill-will and bad feeling in the commxnitv on the occasion of an Empire Celebration Bay hy introducing this eternal liquor question, which is calculated at the present time to create pactional hatreds, and cause what Lloyd George deprecates, "fighting amongst ° While! appreciated the patriotic sentiments which the rev. gentleman uttered, T consider that he spoilt the whole of his address by his apparent obsession of Prohibition, and his apparent lack ot knowledge of the present attitude of the T)Hit Hon. Mr. Lhvd George on true tern, nerance reform. The rev. gentleman also forgot that in this country the people have b»en Riven local option, and quite automatically and hy law the question is submitted to them every election day. The absurdity of fighting Hie National Government and creating sectional hatreds at the present time must appeal to the -»v. BPnMe"ian himself, awav from the beat and rhetoric and hynerhole of his Sunday after-dinner speech—l am, fitC " JOHN PLOWMAX, JUN.