THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11202, 24 October 1899, Page 3

THE LIQUOR QUESTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—A present question is, Who will be the liquor candidates ? Seeing that the laws give the people the power to continue or to close the liquor licenses ? why should important political issues be confused by liquor candidates ? The prohibitionists are not nominating any, and some of tho candidates have properly declined to deal with prohibition in their addresses. I vote on othor issues for prohibitionists or anti-pro-hibitionists. If the liquor party havo grievances and desire redress, let them state l them openly, and all fair-minded men, even prohibitionists, would help them to obtain justice. Should the coming vote bo in favour of continuance on moral grounds, there should be an alteration of the law re endorsements of convictions on the license. It is too drastic, and thus its purpose is defeated. It should only bo applied in flagrant cases. I believe it tends to promote perjury, for, from the peculiar contingency of forfeiture of tenanoy tho penalty of endorsement may mean utter financial ruin. Evidently humane feelings influence decisions in cases, hence those wonderfully worded reasons for lionconvictions that you publish. I would aid them to amend this in tho interests of morality and justice. Compensation for loss of license has been ruled out of the question. But in justice some consideration ought to be shown for the value of the plant which tho adverse decision would render useless. Of courso I vote for opposition candidates, but if any are nominated by tho liquor party, who it is said have nc politics, unless the extent of hi"! support of their interests is on just lines, ho will not get my vote.—l am, etc., Edwin Cam.