THE TRADE UNION ASPECT OF THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 439, 24 October 1908, Page 4

THE TRADE UNION ASPECT OF THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.

[TO THE EDITOR.] Sir, —-The economic aspect of the liquor question as viewed by the trade union leaders is important, for it cor firms a view that is impressing itself more and more strongly upon the minds of the workers of this country. The heart of the movement is affected by this economic waste. The question that lies before us is: Can the workers of this country afford the expenditure that is shown by the huge drink bill of our country ? —for it is certain that wages spent upon drink has not the same value to the community as expenditure upon food and clothing ; for a demand for commodities is only a demand for labour. Let us consider what section of the people are carrying the burden of this excessive expenditure. The workers of the Dominion comprise 62 per cent, of the population, so it is evident that a large proportion of the drink bill is paid for by the workers. The question which arises, has the use of alcohol any real or necessary relation for the physical or moral efficiency of the people ; is the increment returned by the use of it proportionate to the expenditure ? I venture to say that after serious reflection it will be clearly seen that alcohol can only be purchased at the cost ot efficient necessaries, and that a redistribution of expenditure is a stern necessity if we are to grew prosperous. Under this competitive regime, and with the frantic struggle lor existence that is visible on all sides, every ounce of energy must be directed where it will be reproductive, the stress of modern conditions makes this imperative. Trade unions, to be an effective fighting force, must have the moral efficiency of its members, and can never hope to be an effective instrument of economic reform, while their vitality is being sapped by alcohol, and in connection with this it is significant to note that the trade unionist of to-day has at last grasped this simple fact that it is the competition of the men who impoverish themselves by wasteful expenditure on alcohol, whom they have to fear, and who are content to be employed at a low wage. It is the competition of these men that endangers the minimum wage of the workers. I have no wish to suggest that if we had universal sobriety to-morrow the problem of poverty would be solved. The causes of poverty have their roots deep seated in our economic system, and a true remedy can only be found in the complete reconstruction of our social system, but after making all reasonable allowances, the relation between drink and poverty is too obvious to be seriously disputed. The monopoly aspect of the question must claim the grave attention of all workers in the social reform movement, and no man who advocates the principles of collective action against individual action can consistently vote lor Continuance. The di ink traffic is one of the most glaring monopolies in this country. The‘private appropriation ol a value ciealcd by a monopoly license amounting to thousands of pounds annually, is a standing disgrace to this country. The State bestows on the licensee a huge monetary monopoly-gift in the shape of an unearned increment, to which the tiaffic has absolutely no claim, and for which they make no return. And as the struggle between the forces of Temperance and the Liquor Traffic grows fiercer and fiercer, it will be clearly seen that the ultimate solution of the drinking habit of the people, will be the elimination of private profit, and by this means it will stifle the temptation to encourage intemperance, which at the present time is strong, owing to the licensee having a direct pecuinary interest in the value or the amount of sales effected.-—I am, etc.,

E. A. Carter, Wellington Trades Council