TEETOTAL INCONSISTENCY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXIII, Issue 275, 6 December 1899, Page 3

TEETOTAL INCONSISTENCY.

PBEMIER SEDDON AND TEMPERANCE LEGISLATION. To the Editor of The "Evening Mail." Sir,— At the present political crisis there is not wanting among the ranks of tbe temperance party who declare that the Bight Hon. J. U. Seidon, P.C.. is an ardent temperance reformer, and the legislation of tho past ten years is tendered as evidence in snppoit of ibis contention. Mr Seddon ig aotually ere Ji ted with having voluntarily embodied the adult vote on "Local Option" in tho Alcoholic Sales Control Act. Nothing coull be fur. her from the fact— the pressure of public opinion forced the adult vote through Parliament. Mr Sedd n's contribution to the legislation is the monstrous handicap of a three-fifths majority which is placed upon tbd shoulders of the party cf reform. Ally temperance reformer who believes &hat two-n'fths of tbe electors should control the detidion as to whether liquor shall or shall not bo (old in any locality or in tbe colony declares that a minority of two ia live (the said miaotity including includiug the publican and the brewer and all bis eatehtes) ought to ux oar social environment. .Mr teddon belongs lo tbose who deliberately hand over the governing power to the lowest elements in onr community. The legislative barriers in our liquor la us to-day are principally of Mr itoddon's erection. No man can legislate or administer above his own moral Imel, and the publican instincts of the Prenier still dominate bis pcl.iieal Ucties and determine the character of hia administrative acts. Clause 21 ot tbe Alcholi •. b. les Control Act remains as a monument of tbe Premier's strrttude to the liquor iuteresis. Ba; Premier Seddon is an arts in throwing dutt in honest people's eyeo, and that he bas succeeded amoi.g tome of our temperance friends in Kelson is evident as one continually bears thn vapid argument ■" Oh ! Tba present Goveenment has done more for the Temperance c^use than any other Government" — forgetting that it ithe force of public opinion. Educated by themselves— and tint no Government conll refuse their demand— St the present crisis the Temperance i'arty are making the most hudable elloi .« to increase the temperance vote at the bcal option poll", but i- till intend lo keep cbe Government in porter. Well, the consequences of their action will ba that they are building up »ilu ono band an'J pail.ng down with the othir, Now, my temperonce friends, as one who has been ia your rank for forty years, I adviga you do not be aisled.. Throw in jour lot 03 tho Bide of honesty of purpose, and no Government Kill be ablo to withstand tbe f . rce of educated public Of.i L.ion. One ihiugiia dead eti taioty, that ScJdonian and all its nominees are ugainst you. Yours, eto , lEMPERANCE WOBKEE.