STATE CONTROL. OF LIQUOR.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 5372, 3 September 1904, Page 5

STATE CONTROL. OF LIQUOR.

(To the Editor "N.Z. Times.’”) Sir,—Allow mo in the first place U' thank you for publishing my letter of the 25tii ult. 1 have carefully studied the Rev F. W* Isiti’s courteous letters and my only regret is that be failed to put bis replied into the same concise form as that in which J. put my questions. It is, 1 think, a mistake to wander after evidence in Maine and Carolina, just nr it is in Russia or Norway. We, in New Zealand, have the local circumstances clearly before us, .and they are a much better guide to the solution of our owu problem than the laws ami Xjractices of other countries under circumstances we know comparatively littU about. Such writers, again, ns Air Robinsor Souttar—no doubt an estimable, manmay be regarded in tho same light as that in which the law Courts regard expert evidence. Air Xsitt must know that wuert you can got twelve estimable men on one side of mi argument, it is mi ensv matter to get twelve equally estimable men on the other. This is happening in England to-day in connection with thepreferential tariff proposals of Air Chamberlain. , However, my object iu asking the fiv» questions put to Air Isitt was to .obtain, a definite statement of tho position assumed by tho prohibitionists, a position about-wliich there seemed to bo considerable difference of opinion. Prom hit letters, I have, extracted the following replies, and if I have made any error iu tlio process, the fault lies with the quantity and variety of tho matter to be coudeused. 1. Prohibition aims at the extinction of licensed vendors iu those district® in which the no-licenso vote prevails. 2. Prohibition does not aim at any snob’ restraint as that placed on opium, but tho words "until the whole colony can be induced to adopt prohibitory laws” indicate the anticipation of condition* which will make such restraint impera. live. 3. The opportunities for' excessive drinking are still to bo available bccansa “it would bo courting defeat to attempt prohibition.” i. Prohibition is opposed to State control because neither a “bench of bishops”nor a political cabinet could bo entrusted! with the revenue derived from liquor. 5. AVhilo admitting the ability of the State to conduct tho I‘ailways, post office, etc., a department for liquor should not) be established because abuses occur in' other departments. I have honestly tried to extract these answers from Mr Isitt’s letters. If I have erred, I shall bo hajipy to bo corrected. One thing at leubt is obvious, the word prohibition” is out of place, and should be dropped entirely. T nmst, of course, accept tlio Eev Mr Isitt s somewhat poor opinion of a bench, of bishops, hut I certainly do not ogtioq wißi his estimate of a political cabinet. No, doubt there are abuses iu Government departments, but it is qoio of the consequences of our human nature that there are few, if any, institutions in which, abuses do not exist. Humanity and imperfection are inseparable. It should be remembered that the legislative mjUouis of the Cabinet are subjectto the approval of Parliament, and in this, ‘ country-at any rate any' gross abuse of power would not long be tolerated. AVbatever may be the cause, whatever the effect, tho nap-id advance of what is colled State socialism must bo apparent to every man who gives thoughtful attention to the march of events. One baa only to lock at the telephone'list of Wellington (o appreciate the extent of tho movement, and in stating this obvious fact, I neither condemn nor defend, but simply face the position. The railways, postal duties, justice, public health,-lire insurance, life insnri-nce, public trust. Customs, and very many others have passed under Government control, and bo j! noted, not in opposition to the will of the people, but with their consent. There are doubtless objectors to all of them, that goes without easing, but who would now question, for instance, tlio appointment of tho Public Trustee. AVitb all respect to Air Isitt I am still inclined to believe that (lie State control of liquor is not only possible but practicable, and he may be surprised at no very distant date to find how many people arc of the same way of thinking. The practical carrying out of this idea, cannot be outlined in this letter, but I may yet have an opportunity of dealing with the matter in detail, and should am, alliance be formed'to advocate Stale control, nothing' would give mo greater pleasure than to see Air Isitt and all. such well-meaning men under tho one flag.—' I am, etc., "'■■ ■ J. G. W. DAEBYAIPLE. September 2.