CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 146, 21 June 1916, Page 7

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

Sir,—From your report of the deputation on early closing to Mr. Massey, it seems that, some very admirable points were made by the deputationists. One that struck me as being particularly patriotic on the part of the Prohibitionists was this: Mr. Robert Hall's guarantee to provide the revenue which the carrying of prohibition would mean. The direct revenue in duty and license fees from the liquor business exceeds one million sterling per annum (this does not take into consideration the income-tax or the land-tax revenue nor the ordinary duty paid upon imported commodities connected with the liquor, business; nor does it take into 'account the expenditure of a million and a-half in wages in the community), so that the guarantee for the revenue alone would not cover the total loss to the country'if the policy of the Prohibitionists were adopted. But, Sir, what does Mr. Hall's guarantee run to? To use his own phrase, "he would pledge the word of the commercial and professional members of the community to.make good any deficiency in revenue caused by the suggested reform, until such time as the necessary taxation could be brought down." The pledging of the word of tlje " commercial • and professional members of the community " does not amount to much, coming from. Mr. Robert Hall, because .Mr. Robert Hall cannot pledge the commercial and proi fossional community to guarantee* the loss o£ revenue. But if he would obtain the signatures of those members of the commercial and professional community to a guarantee, legally drawn, which would bind the commercial and pi'ofes- | sional men signing it to pay to the 1 uttermost farthing on their possessions, individually and collectively, one million sterling per annum, while prohibition was on its trial (say, for three years), I do not think that he would obtain one signature of any professional or commercial man of any standing in New Zealand. •The pledgp, of. Mr. Robert Hall had no authority. To pledge the word of the I professional and commercial, community I to make good any deficiency' in revenue that the Prohibitionists might cause, and the readiness with which he proposed it, showed palpably that he was only talking words. However, let Mr.. Robert Hall get such a guarantee as I'suggest, and he will convince the entire community that the Prohibitionists are willing to make some individual sacrifices themselves to give their peculiar fad a trial. Let us see, then, what Mr. Hall's pledging the word of the commercial and professional community amounts to.—l am, etc., A COMMERCIAL MAN. P.S.—I ought to notice that Mr. Hall's proposed guarantee is only to last " until such time as the necessary taxation could be brought down." The Prohibitionists might state what commodities they would I tax to provide the over one million sterlI ing* they would abolish. j 19th June, 1916. . ' '

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In your issue of the 17th instant a full report of a deputation having waited upon the Prime Minister re eai-ly closing appeared. Now, Sir, strong exception must be taken v to Mr. 0. R. Smith's version of the affair, that if hotels were closed at 6 p.m. it -would terminate the war. No doubt Mr. Massey had to listen to this bald argument, but surely the average broad-minded people of this country would not possibly accept such an argument as logical. Some of the members of the deputation referenced to conditions existing at Home, and it is quite evident they were ! very wide of the mark, as the Prime Minister had to remind them of the fact that the "public houses," not designated hotels at Home, are open for a certain number of hours on Sundays. What would this gentleman say if the same thing prevailed here? It is quite evident they are connected with the No-License League or some other league of their own manufacture; but this deputation must wake up to the fact that this little spot of country is too far distant from the theatre of war to have any sound or- reasonable argument against our present liquor trade. The arguments, as set forth by the deputation, were indeed very lanie. The Prime Minister is to be congratulated upon, the stand that he has taken, as he admits that this is the only country in the world which has not got its "wet canteen." Now, Sir, this is really, the only tangible solution to the problem. Give the soldiers the wet canteen, and then you won't have the so-called distressing features to be witnessed on the last train, as made much of by one of the deputation. In any case, this very grave "reform" cannot come about unless Bellamy's is closed at the same hour. I don't think that would be very likely. The Government is now doing its best under, very trying 'conditions, and should not be harassed by such spasmodic outbreaks from a few who are called professional and commercial men. Of course, some people can have their little nip in the cellar or back parlour, while the working man has to go to his so-called hotel. If these j deputations are not satisfied with this country, let them go to the front or to i Germany. I am satisfied that little New Zealand, is the best little spot under the sun.—l am, etc., W.G.A.S. , Petone, 19th June, 1916.