More “Wowser Rantings”

Manawatu Times, Volume 67, Issue 93, 21 April 1942, Page 4

More “Wowser Rantings”

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In Monday’s issue another pro. hibitionist takes up the cudgels on behalf of the prejudices of such people. Can one call them clso but “prejudices” after reading such a letter as that written by “H.G.” in reply to “Home Guardsman”? Could wild distortions and arrant exaggerations suffice to win a decision, then indeed would “H-G.” have an easy victory. Consider such a statement as “ . . .a trade that puts thousands of our soldiers into the gutter and leaves them there to perish.” Has anyone before ever read, or heard of such utter “tripe”? What a strange stale of mind people must have to use such phrases; to offer such an insult to our men in khaki. Careful perusal of “H.G.’s” letter shows it to be utterly devoid of any attempt to answer the moral or philosophical case advanced against prohibition—as a form of intolerance. This is typical of the prohibitionist, who must at heart be of the totalitarian persuasion. He is not satisfied to advise, to offer guidance or leadership; he ever wishes to shout “verboten” in Prussian style. On reading “H.G.’a” reference to General Roberts I recalled a very good story of American Civil War days. President Lincoln’s ablest commander was General Grant. A deputation of prohibitionists waited upon the President seeking Grant’s dismissal because he was a whisky drinker. That most noble man and great statesman put them in their place by declaring that he wished to know what brand of whisky Grant drank, for if he could provide it to some of his other generals, they might be inspired to equal success. Truly the case for prohibition must be a pitiful one to judge from the argu-