NO-LICENSE IN MASTERTON.

Evening Star, Issue 15928, 7 October 1915, Page 8

NO-LICENSE IN MASTERTON.

’ TO THE EDITOR. ' Sir.—l noticed in your Thursday's issue a letter signed “ Lex Lmninis ” which also appeared in. Tuesday's ‘New Zealand Times’ and Friday’s ‘Auckland Star.’ It does seem (strange that not a single author of any contribution to the Press on the subject of restoring licenses to Masterton ever signs his name to his communication. In tho ‘New Zealand Times’ of Friday last there were four letters on the subject. one signed “A Resident of Masterton. ’’ the second “Masterton,” the third “ Elector,” and the fourth “Lex Luminis.” I notice the one signed “Ma&terton” also appeared in the Christchurch ‘Press.’ A loot note to tho letter which you published save; “Wo have received several letters from Masterton on the same subject, but the above communication , fairly rep resents the views of the writere. Was the quartet of letters sent to the loading papers in New Zealand on the off chance of one of the four being published? Verily, it looks like it. All the anonymous correspondence that- can be manufactured will not disprove the fact that Prohibition was the very best tiling that' ever happened in the history of Masterton. I lived there before Prohibition was carried and after, and I affirm that, beyond question, Masterton lias benefited in every possible way from- th© effects of No-license. This is an indisputable fact, and nine persons out of ten in the Wairarape, readily admit it. One fact is worth columns of argument/ For years and years before Prohibition was carried in Masterton the local Dorcas Society were scarcely able to supply tho needs of the dependents of those who were breadwinners in name only, but who cared little how their unfortunate wives and families fared so long as they could gratify their craving for intoxicants. Noe; the local Dorcas Society has ceased to exist, there feeing no necessity for its continuance, as drunkenness, poverty, and pauperism have disappeared under the healthful regime of No-license. Can any of these anonymous writers who axo so anxious to <eo the liquor traffic restored in .Masterton gainsay this fact? Surely it is a most conclusive and convincing argument that Masterton has taken a wise sfep in affirming the principle of Nolicenso within its borders.—T am, etc., Alex. M’Mixn. Auckland, October 4. CAVERSHAM ward employees AND THE PATRIOTIC FUNDS. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—A local in your paper last night stated that a meeting of the employees of the above ward had decided not to contribute to the funds on account of the high cost of living and the rise in railway fares. As a large number of men knew nothing about such a meeting, and as the giving to the funds is entirely a personal matter, I think it is only right that the person who gave such information to the Press ought to explain the position above his own name, as a large number of the men feel the paragraph is an injustice to them, especially as they knew nothing of the matter. We ail fee! the pinch of the times as others do. but are willing to do our bit in the cause of the Empire.—l am, etc.. An Employee Who Was Not There. October 7.