THE PREMIER'S "BOMBSHELL." TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 45, 21 August 1903, Page 2

THE PREMIER'S "BOMBSHELL." TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — Has the Premier really no memory? On the Bth July the members of a colonial Temperance deputation emphatically protested against his proposal that absolute prohibition of liquor in the home should be enforced in no-license districts. On the 20th August, he told the deputation of hops and barley growers that every Temperance advocate would, he thought, agree that that was the best thing to be done. Before the proposal can even be discussed it must of necessity be defined. Does the Premier mean that every minister of the Gospel and church official, who conscientiously believes that " fortified " wine is tho modern equivalent for the fruit of the vine that ivaa used at the institution of the Lord's Supper, shall be liable to a penalty for hawing such wine in his house or church vestry? Will the many good people who never use liquor as a beverage, but strongly believe, wrongly in my opinion, that alcohol is an absolute necessity in many cases of illness, be prosecuted for keeping a medicine bottle full in readiness for emergencies? Will the police, or special insnectois, be given power to search every private dwelling in Clutha, Mataura, Chalmers and Ashburton ? Will every visitor to such district 15 have his pockets felt and bis luggage searched on alighting from the train? It is perfectly clear chat under colonial prohibition the smuggling

of liquor from places ou+side the colony or its manufacture within our borders can be dealt with, and exemptions permitted for manufacturing, medical, and sacramental purposes, but the present pioposal of the Premier is a mad scheme that has met only with the wild approval of two deputations of liquor sellers and their supporters, the reason for their approval being as obvious as is the Premier's motive in making the suggestion. — I am, etc., FRANK W. ISITT.

The Gisborne Hospital Board has adopted plans for a septic tank and filter beds at the hospital, and subject to tho approval of the Health Department the work will be proceeded with immediately. The cost is estimated at £350. New. Rhubarb-beds should be made now. The soil should be dteeply trenched and heavily manured. The crowns should not be buried deeply, little more than just beneath the surface.

(I'or continuation of News see page 7 ).