OUR READERS' OPINIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume L, Issue 5137, 1 April 1919, Page 7

OUR READERS' OPINIONS.

DEBT TO BRITISH SEAMEN , FUND. FURTHER DONORS OF WOOL SURPLUS PROFITS. (To the Editor* Sir, —I have pleasure to handing you a further list of sheepowners who wish their share of any surplus in the Imperial Government’s wool purchase scheme to be devoted to the above fund, and shall be glad if you will give prominence to same in your columns.—Yours faithfully, T. R. LEES. Hon. Secretary. Wellington, March 20. GISBORNE.

Waiapu County.—Hone Waititi (Cape Runaway), Joseph Woodford (Waipiro Bay). Rehi Wanoa (Orutua), John Jamison (Pouturu Station), A. and L. Manning (Kahukura). Te Inuingaro Koia (Rangitukia), A. C. Wood (Lottin Point), M. Ngata (Kapukura), K.S.Williams (Matahiia), Merekaraka Waititi (Kahukura), Waiapu Returned Soldiers Trust Estate per K. S. Williams (Tuparoa), G. H. Maddox (Lottin Point), Wi Tupaea (Lottin Point). Cook County.—M. Mullany (Tologa Bay), Wade Bros (Waimata), HyWilliains (Gisborne), H. Arthur A. Hamilton (Ngatapa), John Tombleson (Otonga), Estate of the late Wm Cooper, W. A. Russell (Gisborne), James Berry (Gisborne), William Todd Veitch (Pehiri), E. J. Gray (Waimata Valley). Waikohu County.—Mrs Mclldowie trustee estate late J. M. Mclldowie (Ngatapa), John C. Wilson (Kanakanaia), estate of the late Wm. Cooper, M. D. Manuel (Te Karaka), F. W. Williams, (Te Rata), executors late W. L. Williams per F. W. Williams (Mangataikapxia), Mrs. M. E. Maclean (Puha), Mrs. A. M. Gardiner (Puha), Miss E. M. Williams (Puha), E J. Gray (Waiohika).

HAWKE’S BAY

Wairoa County.—Riverina Land Co. (Riverina Station), Thomas Hy. Hall (Matai), F. Harrison (Wairoa), G. C. Ormond (Napier), Arthur Richardson (Tarewa), Douglas and Drummond (Morere), G. A. M. W. Williams (Napier), David W. Pryde (Te Kohi), W. T. Rayson (Wairoa), R. E. Neale per W. A. Neale (Hikaka and Whakangaire), Ngatapa Pastoral Co., Ltd. (Napier). M. Mackay (Te Maire), Archibald McMillan (Pohuinui), Wm. Horace Wilson (Opoutama), Angus McKinnon (Arapawanui).

IF YOU STOP LIQUOR

(To the Editor). Sir, —One of the fairy tales of the prohibitionist i s that the stoppage of the sale of liquor means more economy in the home. That sounds very nice, but when you come to realise that there are two sides to every question, another perspective looms largely. The intelligent man and woman who is devoid of prejudice and wowserism would naturally realise that many men drink because they get pleasure, gratification, or relaxation in the use of alcoholic beverages, just as others find pleasure or relaxation at the theatres, the concert the dance, the tea fight, the Sunday School picnic, mixed bathing, or the pictures. As the Scripture says: “Give none unto him that is heavy of heart, and strong drinlGunto him that is ful. Los him, j|*ink-4Hidforget his povertyAM-*femember hishubjery no Itjmn be remembered thax the ‘'Committee ef Firaarto Investigate t]#T IJc|uor AobJimJp compos® of eminent nublicisfe,, remen use liqujjiv, wd tnmdMiess than 5 per cent, jdpinkrto exafes. Ir it were possijdle’by law to prevent this _ tempeMlfi} J%> per cent drinking. Jjre%»TOuld simply spendiani’fnat now goes for liouor fmwartfncthing else, and still incur th(s" Tuspleasure of the “Wowsers.” It is true that in one sense the labor and capital devoted to the manufacture .-.and sale of liquors is unproductive. But this is also true of the manufacture and sale of jewellery, ornaments, women’s hats, highheeled boots, bell-toppers, and: other funny-looking hats now worn by tlie wowser crowd, and thousands of other things that we could be better without. Sculpture, pianos, paintings, pillow shams, etc. are not necessities. Many men and women have lived without them. But such men and women were verv low in cutlivation, and not even Prohibitionists would want to go back to the stone ago or to abandon the enjoyments that have come through new tastes and desires. So that proposing to force men on to the water waggon, is seeking to deprive mankind, of what experience has demonstrated is in most oases a pretty harmless pleasure. The same reasoning would lead back to Puritanism, with its prohibition of. dancing, cards, theatre-going, kissing, and other pleasures, and the reduction ot life to a mere animal existence ot working eating, and sleeping. lam, vours etc., STUDENT.***