LICENSING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIV, Issue 10703, 12 July 1895, Page 3

LICENSING.

TO the editor. Sib, —I do not know who your correspondent “ Jason ” is, nor do I care, although you may allow him a great deal more latitude than ever I have been allowed in your correspondence columns. I rarely bother you, bub with your permission, however, I feel I must notice his latest; eo here is at him. First, then, I must tell him the Prohibition Party never did expect that local option would give the same satisfaction as colonial prohibition, and I challenge him to prove the contrary. They did, however, naturally expect that when Clutha polled more than a three-fifths majority for prohibition they were going to *t, have wholesale grog shops opened immediately the hotels were closed, as has been done by virtue of Mr Seddon’s " satisfying Bill” of 1893. The Prohibition Party was not in a position either

to foresee that little attempt would be made by the Government to enforce the law against the sly-grogger. Those responsible for the police administration should bury their heads in shame after the admission that they do nob enforce the law at Cluths, and they would be compelled to do so were the same admission made in regard to any other law. I am pleased to notice that “ Jason ” has at last become a convert to colonial prohibition, for he admits that the stoppage of the local manufacture and importation would result in successful suppression. He says he attendc our meotings, and I again challenge him to disprove that at those meotings we advocate nothing else bub what he has just conceded to be right. The statements that Clutha would reverse her vote to-morrow, and that the South Island prohibitionists constitute but a small minority are only predictions, and can hardly be accepted even by so high an authority as “Jason.” The facts wo- have are directly contrary, however, to the last assertion, as evidenced by the last poll, and if we are so miserable a minority meet us at the ballot-box on even terms (as wo ask) and wo are content with the result. In conclusion, I must take exception and give the most emphatic denial to the statement that under thirty people attended the prohibition meeting in the Opera House, Wellington. I attended that meeting, and safe in the dress circle, and although a charge of a shilling was made I had the utmost difficulty in getting a seat, The Mayor of Wellington presided at the meeting, and will bear me out, if anyone chooses to refer to him, that the meeting was packed, in spite of the charge for admission.—l am, &c., THEO. WAKE.

TO THE EDITOE. Sib,—“ Jason ”is privileged with eightythree lines to give vent to his blustering ideas against prohibitionists. Wa won’t accept bis statements as to the success at Clutha. With the machinery of the law it ought to be a success. Whoso fault would it bo if a failure took place all along the line of the colony? Our rising generation will know better than “Jason,” and our own offspring will "reject it as nauseous and vicious, and unselfish refinement will wipe it out. Perhaps a future contest will show a better result even in Christchurch. I trust Christchurch will bo notorious in having a heritage for her sons free from the bewitching snares of the social glass which is the beginning of degradation, disease and crime. Who would like his bright girl of fifteen years put under its influence ?—I am, &c., UNPAID SCRIBBLER.