CHURCH AND LIQUOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 256, 6 November 1901, Page 3

CHURCH AND LIQUOR.

(To the Editor of the Times.) i SIE, —Ee the Church and Liquor question, 1 I have read with interest the various letters on these subjects, and as one interested would like to express my opinion also. " Pro Bono Publico ” is altogether mistaken when he states that publicans die at an earlier age than men in other lines of business. This can easily be proved, and I should like to know why a publican should not live as long as anyone else. Does “ Pro Bono Publico ” think that the cause of their (in his opinion) early demise is due to intemperance ? Very often those who never enter an hotel are the greatest drunkards. It does not follow that because a man keeps an hotel he must be a drunkard : but 1 quite agree ,

j with this correspondent when he states ! that the bitter mental anguish that the I slave of alcohol inflicts on himself and his family, etc., is often such as do pen eau describe, but these eases are in the minority. and why should new laws be introduced to rule the whole community on account of these few who cannot govern themselves, and as to the most learned ! jurists and philanthrophists agreeing that I : but for the use of liquor crime would be j tare where it is now abundant, I think i I “ i'ro Jfo.no Publico " will find that the j j greatest criminals are mostly temperate, j j Was Czolgosz a drunkard, or are any of ! j his followers I think not, or how could j | they carry out their dark deeds ? Drink or j i no drink, crime will he committed just the j I same. Can “ Pro Jfono Publico ” tell mo | | what diseases are created by the use of j ! alcohol V It is widely known that medical I men administer alcoholic liquors in hundreds of eases of sickness, and I think it would he a good thing if the Church of England clergy came to some understanding as to what stand they should take in the much-discussed liquor question. In one parish we have a minister of the Church opposing prohibition tooth and nail, and in the next parish another who is a rank prohibitionist. I think this state of things is to be greatly deplored in so sound a body of religious men.—l am, etc., AVkst End.

(To the Editor of the Times.) Sir, — Several of your correspondents are unnecessarily rough on the hotel-keepers of Gisborne, so much so that I feel tempted to come to the latter’s rescue. One correspondent in particular ventures the prophesy that prohibition will be carried in this district next year, and advises the hotelkeepers to hesitate before they spend their money in new houses. Now I ask you, Mr Editor, a plain question. Is there any justice in the land when hotelkeepers are compelled to spend thousands of pounds in one year on what will in all probability the next year be valueless to them ? During thenext few months j something over twelve thousand pounds will be spent in the improvement of the hotels in the town, and the gentlemen who ! are embarking their capital have a right to demand some protection. It is all very fine for people who have nothing to lose to cry out prohibition, but how about those who have invested their all '! I hope that the Premier will see that the interests of the trade in this matter are not jeopardised.—l am, etc., Fairi'lay.