THE LIQUOR QUESTION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3173, 25 August 1917, Page 9

THE LIQUOR QUESTION

Sir,—Tho prohibitionists comprising the New Zealand Alliance Executive have adopted a. resolution traversing the recommendation's of the Efficiency Board as far.as they affect tho liquor question. Tho resolution adopted is a most 111 islcaaing cqncocliou, inasmuch as it omits tlip most 'important point in connection with the Efficiency Board's rccommendations.:

What are tho Efficiency Board's recommendations on tho liquor question? They are: (I) Immediate prohibition, with reasonable compensation; (2)., a vote of th.i people on tho question, upon the basis: of • immediate prohibition, accompanied by reasonable compensation to Hie interests affected; (3) curtailment of hours.

It seems to me, sir, that these being the .points of tho Efficiency Board's recommendations on this question, that a further proof of the unreliability of the pvohibitiohirts is given further • demonfitrauOn'in tho resolution of iho executive. Hero! is a complelo sentence' (not a partial one) from the Efficiency Board's report (H-13a): "it (the board) therefore recommends that legislation be passed submitting the question of national • prohibition .to a .vote of the people at the earliest possible, moment; and that such vole shall be "upon tho.basis, of immediate prohibition, accompanied by reasonable compensation. to the interests affected." Tlio board goes on to show what persons should receive reasonable compensation. They are those who have invested "large 6ums of money"-in breweries, licensed houses, wins and spirit businesses, in vineyards and hop' gnraens, and generally in what is known as "the Trade." And the board repeats itself when it 6ays that in order to secure an'early discontinuance of the sale of alcoholic liquors "that reasonable .compensation should be granted to those affected.'® : The boaTd further ■ lays down the basis on which this compensation shall bo paid, viz., the difference between the market value l of- licensed property,, as licensed property, and the value of su'eh''assets without a licence. And the board"further shows how the payments may be made; and it points out: "The board is satisfied that compensation'bapd on the foregoing lines would be a sound investment for tho State, and that the cost would' be recouped by increased national efficiency.' 1 Why didn't this' alleged New Zealand Alliance executive, advocate, like Mr. R. G. Denton, that "the -Trade"-bo bought out, and shut up for ever? The' Efficiency Board has pointed a way whereby prohibitionists and those,,, interested in the liquor business can' meet upon common ground—'"reasonable compensation to the interests affected."' And if tho prohibitionists will adopt, this as part of tbeir policy, they would earn a reputation- for putting forward an holiest' proposal.They would cease- to be charged with dishonesty -as,,a political party. They would'win the favour and respect of men andl wfrmen who lovo temperance a& a principle,,but halo prohibition because of the fanaticism of its advocates, and the .dishonesty of their policy —I am, MODERATE.