Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1928. UNDER WHICH FLAG?

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 November 1928, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1928. UNDER WHICH FLAG?

O UR morning contemporary and the Labour candidate for Westland are protesting against the question being raised of loyalty to the Union Jack, during the Parliamentary election campaign. Doubtless, they would like as little as possible said about the flag issue. But Westland electors have good memories, and will be more impressed by what has occurred from 1914 onwards, than by the protestations now made by the Labour Press and candidate. It is certain that none can be loyal, alike to the Union Jack and the Red Flag. Each emblem stands for entirely different ideals. It is not sufficient for Mr. O’Brien to claim allegiance to the Union Jack. He must denounce the Red Flag, and all it stands for, before he can ask Westland loyalists for their support. The “Star” has compelled him to be more explicit regarding his attitude towards Communism, and now challenges Mr. O’Brien to state before the electors go Io Ibe booths on Wednesday', whether he is still a follower of the Red Flag, and, if so, how he reconciles that with his proclaimed loyalty to the Union Jack. Mr. O’Brien is out of touch with the sentiment behind Westland’s loyalty, and is not really qualified to be this district’s Parliamentary representative. Further proof of. this was shown by the announcements that Mr. O’Brien would be holding a political campaign meeting at Kumara just before the hour when the rest of New Zealand was . concentrating thoughts on the Armistice Day two minutes’ silence. Continuance of political strife at 1 such a time was probably un- <

parallelled anywhere else in the Empire, and such occurrences do not add lustre to Westland’s good name. Loyal Westlanders can show their disapproval of Mr. O’Brien’s defiance of public opinion, by voting for Mr. Seddon on Wednesday. LICENSING VOTE PROHIBITION must not only be

defeated on Wednesday, but the majority against it should be of so overwhelming a nature, that it will embolden the Government, whatever its polities, to take strong action during the session, to place the licensing reform issue on solid ground, once and for all, and no longer permit the welfare of an important national industry to be the subject of unrest and controversy every three years. The nation is tired of this needless referendum, for whilst energies are wasted on Prohibition, the cause of true temperance is neglected. To obtain such a;majority, it is the clear duty of all who are opposed to Prohibition, to be sure to vote. The Prohibitionists have kept quiet during this campaign, but that should not lull their opponents into false security. The temperance fanatics will poll every vote possible, and similar resolution must be displayed by those who desire a fair deal on the licensing issue as on all others. Every vote is of value, as each helps to swell the national total. In districts like the West Coast, where the Prohibitionists are always in the minority, some “Continuance” supporters may think it is unnecessary for them to vote, as their side is sure to win. But these people must remember that every vote counts, ’ the issue being decided by the num- , bers respectively secured throughout’ the whole Dominion. It does not take 1 much time or trouble to 1 vote, and the procedure is simple. Let every man and woman, therefore, who are opposed to Prohibition, vote on Wednesday as early as possible, and encourage those who desire reform and not abolition of , an industry that pays high revenues to the country and is the means of employment for thousands of New Zealanders. These ' workers should be given the con- ■ sideration due.

There is no need at this stage to repeat the arguments against Prohibition. Wherever it has been tried it has been a failure. The experiences in the United States are a warning to all other lands to avoid Prohibition and all its evils. Notable Church leaders of most denominations have denounced Prohibition from the moral side, commercial men have demonstrated the havoc it would cause to national prosperity, and medical men have refuted the claims by Prohibitionists. There is now really no case for Prohibition, and certainly in so sober a country as New Zealand, its enforcement would be a tragic absurdity. The Prohibition advocates have been given a long innings, each poll resulting in their defeat. National attention should now be reserved for other methods of licensing reform, and to ensure this, all opposed to Prohibition should vote at the booths on Wednesday.