THE LICENSING PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 259, 2 August 1928, Page 10

THE LICENSING PROBLEM

gi r; —jt r . I’liillpotts’ statement that “not more than one per cent, of New Zealand-born inhabitants have been convicted of immoderate use” of alcohol, is no argument that the majority of liquor consumers do not use alcohol immoderately.

Mr. I’hillpotts says: “All liquors are supplied for the public good.” That is hardly an answer to my question. “Is al! the liquor supplied to the public good?” meaning, of course, is it all good liquor. , Mr. I’hillpotts asserts that prohibitionists would prevent the moderate use of liquor, and thus “damage the general health.” I am afraid he will not get many medical men to agree with that assertion. In regard to my third question—if prohibition were lav.-, doctors could still prescribe liquor when they deemed it advisable, just as they now prescribe any other poisonous drug. In passing I would point out to Mr. I’hillpotts that total abstainers are not the’ only ones who vote for prohibition and lay themselves open to a charge of being dog-iu-the-mangerish; they are at least unselfish enough to deny themselves for the benefit of those who come after them. Drink in strict, very strict, moderation, though I hold it can do no good because of its insistent call towards abuse, may possibly do no great harm; but then in moderation.it does not produce the effect aimed at by those who use it, so that a cry for moderate use is only a plea for retention of an evil which brings, and has brought, about abuse, mainly because the essential factor in the attractiveness of alcoholic drinks .is their power to intoxicate and narcotise. Prohibitionists do not seek to deprive any individual of his freedom of action, but to deprive him of that freedom of action which interferes with the freedom, enjoyment, and well-being of others. Dr. Poole, a month or so ago, in the Town Hall, said: “I stand here and wave my arms with perfect freedom of action, but if my hand should come in contact with some other person’s nose, my right, to freedom of action ceases.” Prohibitionists rightly argue in the same way, because those who are intemperate, to any degree whatever, are more or less a. nuisance, according to the degree of intemperance. Mr. Philpotts has quoted Sir John Sutton. Let me quote Dr. G. Sims Woodhead, Professor of Pathology in the University of Cambridge. who says (“The Drink Problem of To-day.” edited by T. N. Kellynack. M.D.) : “Alcohol lowers vitality, impairs judgment, sterilises initiative. absorbs wealth, vitiates morality, and increases the death-rate.” I admit that liquor has its uses, as has any other drug, as a medicine, but only as such. In other words, it might he given under medical advice, but should not be self-prescribed when neither diet nor medicine is required, and there is only a craving to be satisfied, resulting only too often in annoyance and harm to others. —I am, etc., B. HECTOR. Wellington, July 30.