THE MODERATE LEAGUE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16666, 26 September 1914, Page 10

THE MODERATE LEAGUE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l must once more ask for space in your columns. I have always understood that the Prohibition Party was so solid that they would not admit of any tolerance to those who did not think eye to eye with them, but I did not realise until I read Mr Burrows’s letter that no man could bo honest unless lie fell absolutely into line with their views. I stated in my former letter that the Moderate League was not the mouthpiece of the Liquor Party, and I imagined that anyone reading my letter would grasp what I intended, viz., that the Moderate League hoped to be able to establish a better system of control. But Mr Burrows will not even grant the Moderate League this small concession. Mr Burrows states that the chief object of the Moderate League is to defeat Prohibition, and perpetuate the Liquor Trade. As regards the first part, he is quite correct. In the second he is also right to a certain point; we do want continuance, but under an improved Government supervision, which, wo assert, if properly organised, can be obtained.

As regards the circular to the troop fers, it surely needed no interpretation by Mr Burrows. There has been no attempt to juggle, nor is there any intention on the part of the League that their'true meaning should be hidden. Mr Burrows insinuated that I purposely withheld the statistics of recurrent drunkenness—a statement which is absolutely without foundation. I still maintain that the views of moderate people on all subjects are infinitely preferable to the bigoted pharasaical ideas of extremists. The League has just as great an abhorrence of intemperance as any Prohibitionist, huts its members are broader-minded, fully admitting that the Prohibitionists arc sincere, although, in their opinion, far too much inclined to say, <r l thank God I am not like other men.”—l am, etc., ALEX. BOYLE, Chairman, Christchurch Branch Moderate LeagudSeptember 22.