IS NO-LICENSE DEFENSIBLE?

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13449, 24 November 1905, Page 10

IS NO-LICENSE DEFENSIBLE?

TO THK KDITOII. Sir,—lt sccnw to mo that if the general principles on which no-license is based are made clear and defensible then much of tlio opposition to that movement must fall to the ground. I think that this can bo done. The broader tho basis on which a religion or a philanthropic movement is placed tho harder will it be to overturn either the religion or tho philanthropy. I think that it ran bo fairly claimed for 110-lieense that it is a movement of an altruistic nature— in other words, it aims at the moral uplifting of humanity, and in this way it has, what Benjamin ICidd would style, a "supra-rational sanction." It is objected by many that no-license is virtue by compulsion. Primarily it is not this. It is tho assertion of tho undoubted l-igilt that every community possesses to choose or improve the environment into which its citizens are to lw l>orn. If the people of Clutha say, for example, that they tfish their children to have surroundings that will give them a belter chance of growing into sober citizens than under the regime of t.lio open bar, then is a minority of moderate drinkers to stand in the way and say, "You must keep these open bars for our convenience"? This, in my opinion, is tho way to look at the attitude of the moderate drinkers who oppose reform.

It will be allowed by all that " self-know-ledge, self-reverence, self-control, theee three alone, lead life to sovereign power "; but why place unnecessary stumbling-blceks in tho way of t.hc attainment of these virtues? Environment has much to do with the formation of'character, if, indeed, it. is not the oliicf element. This is now being widely recognised. Wo see the principle recognised in the modern ideas as to criminal reform. It is now held to be wrong to mix tho young embryo-criminale with tho hardened ones. Theories may be run to death, and the theory that amoral .suasion alone can mako a people sober is ono af these.

Most people will agree that it would be folly to carry out the principle of prohibition in a community where the sentiment of the people did not support such a principle. In Scotland tho temperance sentiment lias not developed to the stage when 110-lieense would either be advisable or practicable; but when three-fifths of tho population of a district declare for no-license, then I think I have thown that there is 110 reason in heaven or earth why it should not be carried out.—l am, etc,, 1 Pagaxus.