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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2956, 31 October 1925, Page 2

(To (lie Editor).

Sir, — Having been inundated by propaganda issued by the Licensing liet'onu, with your permission, I would like to dissect this particular league; inoreso as the pamphlets are signed by heads of a ■certain religious body. Now, to my mind this League, is out purely and simply to attempt to cloud the issue. I say, without fear of contradiction, that, this league, is only camouflaging their identity. They are part and parcel of the trade and financed by the trade. Now, Sir, State Control means socialisation of the drink traffic, and if I know anything, those same clerics are no more in favour of socialisation, of anything than they are of adopting the Protestant Bible. Take the local committee of this league, how many of them, support Labour’s Pol icy. Ask them how they come to advocate socialisation of the trade, if it is good enough to socialise the trade, why don’t they join the Labour Party on that principle. To anyone capable of thinking their object is apparent, that is to divert the minds of the people from the real issue. They don’t want State Control, oh no, they want Continuance, hence their hypocrisy. State Control means that the people are to make the trade a present of three millions of money in cash, should it lie carried, but they omit to say anything about it. At present each man, woman and child are classed as paying this beer combine, seven pounds per head per year, that is what goes into the coffers of the trade. Out of that the revenue is three million. What becomes of the balance? The trade says if Prohibition is carried we will be taxed ten pounds per head. Really, and where do they got the authority for that statement. Under Prohibition instead of keeping a trade going that is of no use to anyone, each individual will have his spending power increased. Why is it that the trade, carefully omit to reckon up what wc pay in taxes to keep up and provide institutions to deal with what it produces —human wreckage. Under prohibition we will be able to purchase those things that wc cannot under License purchase and by purchasing (hose things or commodities, there will be no need to tax us, as the increase in trade thereby will compensate the country for any deficiency of revenue. And here 1 would 'like to ask this question, wo elect men to the Licensing Bondi, In see that the trade fulfills the requirements of the law, vet we have these same men telling us ilia I the trade needs reforming. 1 ask what are they elected for, and is this how they have carried out the trust reposed in them. Do any of those business men of Foxton who are acting on the local coinmil foe of Iho league eamouflagers, really think so little of the intelligence of the people, as to try to make them believe that their bussiiio.ss would not show a little financial result, because of increased trade. Speaking plainly, how would they like their business run under State Control seeing that they want trade socialised. Are they voting socialism on the fourth of next month.

Sir, I heard a voice crying in tho wilderness for the Bible in schools. Ye gods, who is going to read it to them? Does lie want imported ('lories to do it for him? Is it not better to read it oneself at home? Ts it not showing the lack of proper hanging at home? But the point is this, how could a parson honestly teach the children to lead sober and moral lives, and recite to them the Lord’s prayer, —“Lead us not into temptation, hut deliver us from evil,” etc*., and in his private life holster up the rottenest temptation it is possible to put in the path of the children. These pious gentlemen —what tales of the misery they could tell; but perhaps they cast the blind eye to it. The cleric who lends his support to put the greatest temptation possible in the path of the children and grown ups, is to say the least sadly lacking in his views, and .shows a mighty poor regard for the welfare of his country not to mention his particular flock.

Finally why do these people connected with the trade go. to America for a few items, re Prohibition from a few Yankee cranks? AATiy do they not tell us of the evils in the twelve No-License districts of New Zealand? You can busy lots of things in America, including opinions. Is it because Prohibition has been such a success? Must be, or else they would contradict the benefits of Prohibition. When they have to go hack eighty-five years, and pull President Lincoln out of his grave, their cause is pretty rotten. State Control to split the Prohibition vote, is their object. No matter how they camouflage it. A vote for State Control is two against Prohibition. Thanking You, Sir, E. G. MARTIN.