THE SOUTH DUNEDIN SEAT.

Evening Star, Issue 20019, 9 November 1928, Page 9

THE SOUTH DUNEDIN SEAT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —If “South End” in your issue of Wednesday had only signed his name “ Prohibitionist ” the sense of his nar-row-minded argument would have been quite apparent, for, summed up, that is why ho supports Mr Todd, not because "ho is likely to make a good member, or even a good politician, but just because he is an extreme Prohibitionist. Docs not “South End” pause to think that wo have had many Prohibition leaders in the House before, and none of them ever cut any ice, for, like all extremists, they arc feared by even their own party leaders. In this case, fancy, a “ dry ” man like Mr Todd cutting any ice with a “wet” man like Mr Coates, the Premier. The mere thought of it is ridiculous, forsooth. What the electors want to realise is that all extremists in any cause, let it bo Labour, “booze,” “anti-booze,” etc., are the very men to keep out of the House. We want moderate-minded men like Mr Taverner, for instance —a man to be trusted to brine his largo share af common sense and experience to hear on all the issues of the day, ho it the “booze” question or any, other, financial, educational. or_indus-| trial. Although lam a Prohibitionist, like “South End,” I. have no diffi-1 culty in voting for Prohibition on the ■ one hand and for Mr Taverner on the other, because Mr Taverner is a_ good, sound, and reliable man, who will get in behind the United Party leader and put the present discredited Coates Government out of office. Prohibition and Taverner for mo every time.—l am, etc.. Common Sense. November 7. TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —“ Fifty-fifty ” claims that Mr | Taverner has broken his obligation ana j that he is in with the liquor party just, because he stands for a 6 per cent.. majority. From what I know of him, I Sir Taverner has never been a liquor party man, and it is my contention that we should have a 5 per cent, majority, so that if Prohibition is carried on that percentage it would ho an effective knock to the other side. It would be a proper damper on their efforts towards Ilestoration, and what is more, would bo just as hard a hill for them to climb as if is now for us. I think our leaders are very shortsighted, and what is sauce for the goose should be sauce for the gamier. Mr Taverner has a reputation on the Flat

for fairmindedness and honesty of.purpose second'to none. There may bo a few of the Continuance Party on his committee, but 1 know that there are Prohibitionists on it,.too, so it is plainly evident that ho is a good man to supSort when botli sides are working for is success.—l am, etc., Five Pub Cknx. November 8.