THE LIBERTY LEAGUE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11334, 30 July 1897, Page 6

THE LIBERTY LEAGUE.

, to yni; editor.

Sir,— T have, been somewhat surprised at the absence.of aU'. Criticism on the annual meeting;of. the Liberty Lfiague, and Qan only'conclude'that the fallacies contained in the report w'ei ! e So transparent that cori;esppndents'simply ■ left it' to. do its, own work ip, the, minds of the people. Certainly nothing has yet been published in tlio interests, of the-liquor trade... which has afforded so much scope for comment. The whole,history of the League is interesting to Prohibitionists. Interesting because it shews them how weak morally and socially is the. position of the liquor, trade when it lias to shelter itself under an illegitimate name-. Tts action at once evidences cowardice, hypocrisy and inconsistency. No one will deny that the Liberty League was founded by prominent liquor traders ; even Captain Marciel, its secretary, could not deny it, although hard pressed. By organising under the name of liberty, the trade is simply adopting the trick of some of its American friends, who organised under the name of the “ Merchants and Traders’ Association.” Another instance of the cowardice of the liquor trade may be found in the fact of their extreme reluctance to meet the people from the platform. It is,true that Mr J. D. Sievwright conducted a few meetings, but it is significant that after bis memorable Sydenham imeeting, where' he behaved sopeculiarly, no opportunity was' given; f6r question or counter statement, .whereas, the prohibition platform is always open to its opponents. If their cause.is such a noble one, and -inspires such ' enthusiasm amongst its adherents (see report annuaimeeting) why do they thn.s shr'mk from publicity ?. Surely they are not content to allow, the printing press,.'which was so freely used against the Prohibitionists at the last election, to bo their only mouthpiece. ’' 'While they have shrunk from the’ public platform themselves, they ' claim to have been instrumental in bringing several prohibition meetings to nought. I freely concede to them all the credit they can obtain under this head.O Allow me to mention, for instance, the only meeting—and I challenge contradiction which they succeeded- in bringing to nought. ■ I refer to the meeting held in Cathedral Square the night prior to the election. If they can claim any credit for the success of the blackguardly attempt to muzzle the Prohibitionists. used on that occasion' they are welcome to every bit of it. The whole subject of .the Liberty League, its origin, officers, policy' and tactics could be enlarged upon ad lib'., but consideration for your space compels me to refrain for the present.—l am, &c;, ZEKE.