THE PROHIBITIONISTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11582, 21 February 1901, Page 3

THE PROHIBITIONISTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —For the past eight years I have always voted either with tlio prohibitionists or stood neutral. But their conduct in packing the committee that was formed to welcome and suitably entertain our colony's guests, the troops, that they might insult them by a gross and unseasonable exhibition of their pet hobby, lias finally disgusted me. And right here let me fairly and squarely stale that the 17 prohibitionist members of that packed committeo were no more representative of the people of Auckland than were the three Tooley-street tailors of the people of England. That their strenuous attempt to prohibit the people's free entrance to the public Domain was happily frustrated, wo have great reason to be thankful for; nos only because we one and all wore enabled to join in the welcome to our guests, but also because we have been saved from the frightful injury to-life and limb that the crush at barred gates must inevitably have caused. Their treatment again of lx>tli our town and country volunteers, whom thoy invited to take part in the proceedings, and then left without bite or sup throughout the long hot day, will not bo lightly forgotten or easily forgiven. The fact that it was only at the eleventh hour, and, after they had given public notice to our brave old veteran soldiers that if thoy wanted lunch they must bring it for themselves, that they were shamed into giving them seats at the fag end of the feast, seems almost incredible were it not a solid and shameful fact. Their conduct to our young and old soldiers alike is all of a piece; the very men who, above all others, on such, an occasion, should have received every encouragement, attention, and honour at our hands, were treated with contumely and neglect. \ It may be nearly two years before the people of Auckland have an opportunity of showing their resentment at the conduct of the leaders of the prohibitionist party here, but when it does come, and the people can make themselves felt in the ballot boxes, they will make that resentment _ plain in a way that there will bo no mistaking. In conclusion, leE mo put this question to tho sane and reasonable members of the com- , munity : What hope would there be of making Auckland one of the great tourist centres of the world, were it to become a prohibition city, where all tourists were de- • barred from obtaining their usual and customary beverages?l am, etc., A Reasonable Man. :