"MODERATE DRINKER" CORRECTED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13544, 17 March 1906, Page 8

"MODERATE DRINKER" CORRECTED.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—A correspondent, " Moderate Drinker," wrote in your columns of March 15 that several towns in Sweden and Norway, which had voted no-license unci thus thrown out the Gothenburg system, had reversed that vote shortly after and gone back to the Gothenburg system. This is correct as far as it yoes, lint is only half tho truth. The fact, is that the no-iicense referred to only rovers the sale of spirits, while tho beer and si roup fortified wine enjoyed practically free salo. Naturally (he results were practically nil. The Nolicense party, perceiving this, themselves voted at tho following poll for a return to the company system, at tho same timo declaring it as their intention to agitate that beer and wine should be. placed under that system as v.cll as spirits. " Then," said they. "wo will vote all kinds of liquor out at once, and get real "nolicense," This puts a different complexion on tho matter.

"Moderate Drinker" also lays far too much stress on the heavy vote for restoration at Ashburton. The voto for nolicense at Clutha and Mataura was heavier than it had ever been before, and, taking the seven electorates that have tried nolicense—viz., Bruce, Chalmers, Ashburton, Clutha, Mataura, Newtown, and Grey Lynn, —the- vote for no-liceuso increased nearly 3000, and exceeded the liquor voto by 6000. It is evident that Ashburton is the exception. Inferences should bo drawn from the rule, not from the exceptions.— I am, etc.. . March 15. Tom Abstainer.