THE LICENSING QUESTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18736, 14 December 1922, Page 3

THE LICENSING QUESTION

TO THE EDITOB. Tot 'T? °n the liquor question establishes two facts: (1) lhat the majority of the voters are opposed to a continuance of tno liquor trade under its nrescnt conarp° n nn t ( hat ,, tho Majority of the voters are opposed to the present conditions beiim exchanged for prohibition. In one sentence--a change is demanded; but not the change most vehemently advocated. Is it too niuch to suggest that, having arrived at this knowledge, all parties should act in a spirit of sweet reasonableness, and unde in an effort to have put into effect this expressed will of the people? The campaign just ended has been strenhous for those directly concerned. There has been much stupid calling of names, and much' uncharitable attributing of bad motives and dishonest tactics. And yet many thousands probably the vast majority—of those who voted for prohibition do not really think of their opponents—even of those directly concerned m the manufacture, importation, and sale of alcoholic liquor—as being governed only by self-interest, qr as being devoid of all the qualities that make foi good citizenship. Neither do the majority of those who voted against prohibition think of prohibitionists unkindly. On the contrary , they have a profound admiration and respect for the prohibitionists’ conscientious enthusiasm and self-sacrificing zeal for a cause which they themselves cannot conscientiously espouse. Of course, in all parties there are bitter and unreasonable _ extremists, who can sea no possible good in any point of view but their own, and those who advocate their cause from motives that cannot bo considered worthy and unselfish, but those are in the minority. 'To the others of all parties the words of Sit. Paul seem a natural appeal; “Let all bitterness and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.” If all of goodwill in the opposing camps will act upon this, and then confer, much good must necessarily ensue.—l am, etc., W. A. R. Fitchew. St. John’s Vicarage, Roslyn. December 12.