CORRESPONDENCE. — ♦ ~ NOT TO BE DRUNK ON" THE PREMISES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3954, 25 April 1870, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE. — ♦ ~ NOT TO BE DRUNK ON" THE PREMISES.

To the Editor of the Daily Southern Cross. Sir,-— To my mind you never looked better than in your leading article of to-day, where you advocate free trade in strong drink, for of course you will follow your argument to its legitimate conclusion, viz. , to close the bar of every public -house, to permit intoxicants, pure and unadulterated, to be sold anywhere and everywhere, but "not to be drunk on the premises." What a deathblow this would be to drunkenness ! Its deepest curse is in men congregating together for the purpose of drinking, where every temptation is held out to induce them to drink, and corrupt each other. In Scotland spirituous liquors have long been sold over the counter, side by side with the publichouse, and have proved a bane rather than a blessing. Any and every remedy for this great evil will, doubtless, be open to objection; still, let the subject be well ventilated, "Error is but opinion in the making.'' Stand by your colours, Mr. Editor, and do your best to close the bar of every public-house in Auckland Don't, pray don't, say that I've drawn a wrong inference from your argument. Will such a blessed day ever da^m on old England and her dependencies as shall see written, over every door where strong drink is sold, " Not to be drunk on the premises" ? My faith is weak — so weak. The revenue would not suffer, seeing "it's easier to draw taxes from the pocket of a rich people than a poor one." la good stronger than evil ? Then must evil in time destroy itself, but oh, it's a weary waiting. How I should like to hear of an "Anti-shouting Society" being formed. Oh that a man among the drinkers had the courage to start it— in good earnest. I see you fail utterly to understand Mr. Edger, but there is no man in Auokland who can so well afford to be misrepresented. A Woman. April 10, 1870.

Taking it Easily, or Matrimony in 1S69 : "Friend (at tea) : "I say, when is your wedding to come off, Gerty ?" Gerfcy : " Oh I don't know. I have a lot of visits this autumn, and Ghis will want to be in Leicestershire all November ; so I dare say we shall settle it about Christmas • when there ia nothing else going on, you know, aear ]"-— Punch, '