LICENSING REFORM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19200, 17 June 1924, Page 2

LICENSING REFORM.

Sir, —In his letter of Juno 12 Mr M. H. Seddon says “the working man’s liberty must be conserved,” etc. The fact that 300,000 electors of this dominion recently voted for the prohibition of the liquor traffic, 80 per cent, of them working men and women of this country, shows the direction in which they consider their liberty and welfare are likely to be conserved, 'the Labour Party in Great Britain circulated a leaflet on the liquor question, with a foreword by Mr Ramsay MacDonald, Premier of Great Britain, in which ho says: “Everyone admits that the drink problem is pressing, from a moral and economic point of view. The trade has become a menace to the public and country. It corrupts politics.” Who is the better judge, Mr M. 11. Seddon or the Labour Premier of Great Britain? Mr Seddon overlooks the fact that men and women have many liberties of greater importance than the liberty to drink beer. Does he recognise the fact that drinking among women is largely increasing in New Zealand and that this drinking seriously threatens the welfare, liberties, and rights of the home? I ask what right has Mr Seddon or anyone else, by influence, and vote, to dump a liquor bar down near my home to endanger directly or indirectly my liberty or the welfare of my wife, borne, and children?—l am, etc.. True Blue.

Sin, —As T expected, in your issue of the 14th inst. Mr J. A. D. Audens declines to make any attempt to refute my statements. He says, however, that 90 nor cent, of your readers will understand his letter of the 7th. Mr Adams has'got no other alternative when he throws up the sponge. As for pursuing happiness hy drinking alcoholic liquor, if some of the prohibiton champions knew what a solid day’s graft was they would know something about the value of the very thing they are out to condemn. Mr Adams says I surely cannot believe that the only wav to pursue happiness or to attain to it is by drinking alcoholic liquor. I know this, that when I am very thirsty and I have satisfied my thirst I am very much happier than I would bo otherwise, and so are thousands of workmen after a day’s toil. —I am, etc., M. H. Seddon. June 16.

TO THE EDITOR.