THE LICENSING ELECTION.

Evening Star, Issue 7443, 11 February 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE LICENSING ELECTION.

TO THE EDITOR.

Siu, —One of the chief obstacles in the way of temperance reforms is the chilling indifference that is exhibited by a large body of people to the woe and sorrow that is brought about by the drink traffic in our midst. It is so bard to make those who are placed in comfortable circumstances, and have been blessed with a large amount of the power of self control, to realise the depth of degradation and suffering that is endured by their less fortunate fellow creatures through the evil, that temperance workers, who have so muoh of this misery brought under their notice, seem to be speaking ot conditions that cannot possibly obtain in our own community. But it is possible tbat, with a licensing election close upon us, some greater degree of interest miy be taken in the matter by those who hold the balance of power between the licensed victuallers and the temperance reformers. The question to be decided by the ratepayers next Thursday is whether the hotels shall be closed, in accordance with law, at ten o’clock or allowed to remain open until eleven or twelve. It seems a small i-sue to state, but the fierceness of the battle over this hour shows what an important issue it really is. It is after ten, rather than before it, that the liquor gets such a hold on a man that he recklessly empties the contents of his pockets into the publican’s till, and then goes home to brutally maltreat his poor wife and helpless children. It is after ten, rather than before it, that our brothers and sous imbibe to such an extent, tbat they lose all sense of manliness and honor, and become an easy prey to the designing ones who lay in wait to wotk their ruin. It is after ten, rather than beiore it, that our sisters and daughters fall victims to the fumes of the seductive drink, and throwing aside all thoughts of purity and innocence, fall into that awful gulf of sin and shame from which the chances of rescue are so small.

Fellow citizens, will you help to perpetuate and intensify the misery and sorrow of thousands in our City, or help to alleviate it and reduce the temptation to wrong and ruin ! Your voting on Thursday will do one or the other. Do not say “It is nothing to you” whether homes are ruined, hearts are broken, and reputations are blasted. Do not say “It is nothing to you ” that the “grey hairs of parents are brought in sorrow to the grave,” that women are wronged, that children are shamefully neglected and deprived of the absolute necessities of life ; but recognise your own responsibility, and do what you can to keep this prolific cause of sorrow and languish within the limits prescribed by law, by voting for those who are pledged to close all hotels at ten o’clock.—l am, etc,

Light.

Dunedin, Februaiy 10.