THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

Evening Star, Issue 16824, 28 August 1918, Page 3

THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Surely the executive members of the New Zealand Alliance have travelled far from their former platform when they are now seriously engaged in a campaign in which they expect tho people to follow their lead like a flock of sheep in trying to secure four and a-half millions of money to offer as compensation to the liquor trado in the event of a No-license vote being carried at next election. Evidently tho party feel somewhat ashamed of this change of front, as it is placing the responsibility of the movement on to the shoulders of tho National Efficiency Board. Over 12 months ago the Efficiency Board did make this recommendation as a war measure, but the Government turned it down, and also postponed the triennial licensing elections. At tho present time, however, conditions have greatly changed on the battle front for the better, so if the proposals were now acceptod, before they could take effect at the close of the existing licenses on the first of June they probably would not be of much use as a purely win-the-war measure. Viewing the trend of the liquor movement during the last 22 years, there is not the slightest reason why compensation should bo offered to the licensed houses now in existence. They have carried on the trade for that period knowing the risk, they ran of being closed down at any time by a No-license or a Reduction vote. Reduction ,was in force until last election, and is responsible for closing down twothirds of the hotels in Dunedin and suburbs. Unfortunately, the consumption of drink has not diminished. It is reasonable, therefore, to infer that the 30 houses still existing in Dunedin have secured tho business of some 60 houses that have lost their licenses without receiving compensation. The Temperance delegates who are at present assisting the cause in this country make no mention of compensation being granted in Canada or in America. The offer of compensation, I understand, is being made in the hope that it will secure a majority vote in Parliament to submit the question to a referendum. It is a stiS proposition for the members of a dying Parliament to consider tho voting of such a large amount of money for this purpose. The local bodies, I believe, would be well fitted to give an expression of opinion on the financial aspect of the casa. If, in the face of the Liquor party' 3 contra manifesto and petition, the Alliance will still persist in advocating compensation, they may possibly find themselves placed in the position of being hoist with their own petard.—l am, etc., J. A. Anderson, August 28.