Page 6 Advertisements Column 4

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15736, 12 April 1913, Page 6

THE T.HREE-FIFI'HS MAJORITY. TO THE KDITOn. Sir—After the labours of many years a man has two or three thousand pounds to invest. He is a sober, respectable, hardworking citizen. He purchases an hotel as an investment for his hard-earned savings. His taxes are hcavicr'than those of a private householder; so also are his general expenses, etc. Is ho not, therefore, entitled to some substantial safeguard for his investment against thousands of public . votes? That three-fifths majority is a very moderate one for those concerned in this general public investment. Then,, the investments of tho holder of the license aro according to the size and. worth of tho building. Bo is also n respectable citizen with a thousand or two pounds invested in a public way. Is hq not also ?o have/protection for his'rights? How small that three-fifths majority appears in his case against those thousands of votes! Could any,just Government alter tlliat threefifths majority with fairness or justice? I think not. Then, take into consideration those hundreds of men employed in breweries—how small that three-fifths majority appears to thorn, for■ the simple privilege of supplying labour for their daily bread. Their work is surely \\a honest m that of men otherwise employed. Where is the charitableness or the justice of those clamouring for laws to suit their own purpose only, when they, have not one farthing to lose by tho licensing issue one way or another? Why can they not be content with setting a good' example and inducing others to follow in their train? It takes nil sorts to make a world, and one person bus as much riglbt as another to protect his employment. The " trade " and those connected with it are entitled to consideration and protection. The trade is'said to be a .monopoly. Well, if tho Government saw fit to take over those hotel investments under the heading of State control I do not think the ''trade" to-day would regret it, having once gained a correct compensation for its enterprise. | I think all right and just people .will maintain that • three-fifths majority. In any case, I do not think that any just Government, could now alter it after haying once agreed to it, unless, indeed, universal prohibition throughout New Zealand were established. Then, and only then, could Parliament make fresh laws with fairness, in the event of tho dominion gaining i license again,—l am, etc,,' I,g, Aiail-fi.