COMPENSATION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17860, 5 August 1918, Page 9

COMPENSATION.

10 THE EDITOR. Sir, —I am neither a publican nor a sinner, but being a lover of the trinity virtues of justice, equity and truth, impels 'me to write this letter. Tho Efficiency Board's recommendation to expsnd £4,500,000 as compensation to the liquor trade seems most inconsistent when one considers the Government's action in relation to the closing downof other industries. What was the attitude of the Government when all butchers and owners of slaughterhouses were compelled to close down and their licenses cancelled on the advent of the municipal abattoirs? Was any suggestion or recommendation made to grant compensation for the loss of these licenses? No, they were simply notified that no further slaughterhouse licenses would be granted after such and such a date, and further that any breach of the Act would involve a penalty of £SO. I was one of those who suffered to the extent of several thousand pounds, having built up a large business which returned to me over £SOO per annum. We held a license for twelve months and were subject to restrictions and by-laws and also comnelled to build suitable premises to fulfil the requirements _of the Act, just as is required by a license issued under the Licensing Act.

Furthermore, what about the hundreds of young men who are to-day being conscripted and losing: their all through having to close clown their business? Are they also not entitled to compensation? Personally, if I have any bias, it is in favour of the trade, as I have long since realised that if we are to "have an ideal race temptation is absolutely necessary so that the same may be resisted and a true ideal evolve. 1 must, however, enter my protest against any such proposal as suggested and trust that the matter will receive wider consideration now that such an authority as Sir Robert Stout has voiced his disapproval of the suggestion.—l am, etc., F. W. QUAIFE, J.P. Christchurch, August 1, 1918.