LIQUOR QUESTION

Grey River Argus, 14 September 1918, Page 3

LIQUOR QUESTION

PATRIOTISM OR TACTICS? THE PEOHIBITIbN PROPOSALS REVIEWED.. (Reported from the Post" of August 9th, 1918.) f -','., . 1 ' The growing tide' of the movement ; for a prohibition poll compels, all.electors of this Dominion to put 'to themselves the question whether tho hold-, ing of such a poll is consistent with the country's, determination io concentrate upon the conduct --of 'the war. . . . An' election, the country has frequent**-, ly been told, .would raise so many diverting issues and pariy bitternesses and might produce so many results influenced by considerations other than the main one, that it is a danger to be avoided; and even the prolongation by •Parliament of its own life is, in the circumstances, the lesser evil. Tbis argument, whatever its merits or demerits, has been endorsed,- and expressed in practice, by the Parliament ■• of. New Zealand. While opinion may/ have differed, in the lirst place, as to iis adequacy, no one will dispute that it has become the settled pplicy of the country; and we do not think that, at^ the present moment, any substantial body ofthe electors desires to reverse it. . . . If bitterness is the test, thcr6. is surely at least as much bitterness in the liquor light as in the Parliamentary one. There is also as much,, tit.-' more, disturbance ."of vested interests: and financial outlook. . . . On tho"*' whole, we are inclined to think that ; this agitation for 'a poll may be found, to have a catch in it; perhaps more, than one. If is not an adventure' to b« lightly undertaken at the crisis of the war, and tho time has arrived when electors and their representatives should subject it to critical examination.'*' Every Elector over 21 years of age is expected to' sign the National Council's Monster Petition containing the three issues, namely— Continuance, : National Ownership, ahd Prohibition, I for -Patriotishi, for Freedom' md for Democracy,