KING COUNTRY LICENSES.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XVIII, Issue 1856, 1 September 1923, Page 5

KING COUNTRY LICENSES.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —(Will you please allow me space in your valuable paper to make a few comments upon a letter written in your correspondence column by Mr A. A. Lissaman, in answer to the Rev. Dennis’s letter re the “pact.” He says it was only a temporary arrangement entered into while the railway passed through the KingCountry. Now, Sir, if this is so, why does it take such a tremendous effort to combat or abolish; also, if there were such a vast quantity of all kinds of liquor brought over the boundary into the King Country, why, Six’, should there be such agitation and controversy if it is only liquor that is wanted? But it is plain that it is a business proposition. Now, Sir, I consider your correspondent is uncharitable in bis vapourings, and I am pained and surprised at a man of his standing not putting in liis weight more for helping his weaker brother. Think of the great army of habitual drunkards that go down to a premature grave through the drink traffic. Mr Lissaman states that the Prohibition Party are lacking in moral will power, forgetting that the various preparations of alcohol are a mighty power for good or evil. Fire is also a good servant but a bad master. It is a common saying among the natives; they call liquor fire water. And, further, he states that a sensible use of liquor is as a heart stimulant and in cases of collapse, etc. Yes, Mr Lissaman speaks as a chemist,, and forgets that if National Prohibition was carried there would be a proviso in the law empowering chemists to sell stimulants for medical purposes, also in cases of emergency. Mr Lissaman does not make reference to the apparent evils of drink, and it is obvious that he has not noticed that those defending a good cause and strong against the great evils of today are up against- the powers of darkness. It is not right to try and mislead the public—more especially the young people of our town—-in “God’s Own Country.” I would sooner defend a purer and nobler cause in the interests of humanity.—l am, etc., J.C.