THE LIQUOR PROBLEM.

Evening Star, Issue 16347, 13 February 1917, Page 7

THE LIQUOR PROBLEM.

10 Tilt: fcniTon,

Sir,—Allow _me sp.ee to congratulate (he writer of the excellent article in bn day night’s '.Star' pointing out so ably and fearlessly the grave danger Great Britain and her Dominions are ir through tlie evil and demoralising effect of the liquor system. When at Home a few years ago 1 was so impressed with the enormous drinking habits of tlopeoplo of both, sexes, and its demoralising ell acts so plainly seen, that I told tinpeople that if anything would bring about Britain’s downfall it would be drink and greed. 1 ' In many instances I saw more women than men drinking at the bar counter, while many with children in arms stood just outside’ the promises and drank liquor, and gave it to their children. Any observer can sac that the honor system is gradually but surely sapping at the very fomiiiatirn of the British nation, in weakening and demoralising iis manhood. If this is allowed to continue the nation must and will fall. The sober and strong nation must rule over the one weakened by drink. Von, sir, have made it clear that the manufacture of drink while the nation is in a struggle for its very existence is making enormous demands on its diminishing coal, grain, and sugar supplies, besides on millions of tons of shipping apace so much needed for the successful prosecution of this terrible war. Uiese demands are not only weakening our chance of success, but are turned into weapons that as yon. I believe, coi.ectlv point out, will be loond to have been ' more disastrous than the Gorman submarines. No words can be strong enough to condemn the indifference of our present Government on this question. I voted for them at the last election: I am patiently waiting lor the opportunity to vote them out. Of all the reforms np»d"d by our nation there is none ~o great as liquor reform, and I will vote only for the man who will help banish this traffic. I fully endorse your views, that the man who makes Prohibition the plank of his platform will win his seat at the next election.— l am, etc., Refobm. February 12.