PROHIBITION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 11050, 31 August 1896, Page 3

PROHIBITION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Your correspondent “No ClapTrap ” questions tho veracity of another correspondent, Mr H. L. Rogers, as to the truth of that memorable statement attributed to Mr Justice Donniston describing the drink traffic as “ a cancer in tho body politic.” I will, for “Clap-Trap’s” information, quote the following, culled from a very exhaustive report of tho sum-ming-up of that Judge on the case of tho licensed victuallers v. Sydenham Licensing Committee; —“ The members of the Committee are the chosen leaders of a party who are struggling to destroy or reduce what they —and all of us —feel to be a" crying evil, a cancer in the body politic* * * So far tho action of the Committee has been straightforward and aboveboard. I have had an opportunity of seeing and hearing them in other proceedings connected with this matter, and I have no reason to doubt that they will remember the oft-quoted words of Air Justice Richmond —‘ It is certain that tho cause of temperance, holy though it be, cannot be advanced by disregard of the still more sacred claims of Justice.’ ” —I am, Ac., Addington. JOHN HOPPER.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I see that “Ignoramus ”is anxious to find out what the Bible says about prohibition. Let him turn to the tenth chapter of Leviticus, eighth and ninth verses, and he will see the following: “ And the Lord spake unto Aaron saying, ‘Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest yc die. It shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations.’ ” —I am, Ac., NOT BLIND.