The Opunake Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1895. PROHIBITION.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 132, 8 October 1895, Page 2

The Opunake Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1895. PROHIBITION.

The Alcoholic Liquors Sale Control Bill, which passed its third reading in the House of Representatives, is meeting with a rough passage in the Council. Nearly all the members who have so far spoken are opposed to it. By the time it has emerged from Committee there seems every probability that its author will have a task to recognise it. If it passes at all we should like to see the provision retained by which the vote will be taken on the same day as the general election, as then it will be fairly representative of the people. It is claimed that the loss of revenue would ruin the colony financially, and produce a state of chaos. It is also asserted that if the poll is taken on the day of general election that candidates would be run on cold water principles, irrespective of other qualifications, which, it is alleged, would not be desirable. Here we disagree with these objectors. If there is a majority in the colony sufficient to carry prohibition, then we see no reason whatever why that majority should not obtain the reins of power and attempt to carry out their ideas of forming a model state. This is the only way in which anything like finality will be given to the question, and finality is wanted on both sides. We do not think there is the requisite majority in the colony in favor of it, but nothing short of an expressed vote will decide this point, mere assertion on either side being valueless. For ourselves we do not think there is a general wish or even the necessity for such a drastic measure. We do not think for one moment that it is possible to cure the people’s desire for stimulants by Act of Parliament. There have been many crusades against the liquor traffic, but in every instance whisky has come out on top, and so we believe will the present effort end. Twenty years ago Good Templarism was in full swing, and it looked as if it would carry everything before it, but where is it to-day ? We do not suppose it numbers one-fifth the membership it had fifteen years ago, and now possesses no political power whatever. Prohibitionists have stepped into the breach and are making thsir effort, but history will chronicle it as a faded effort, and we suppose some other form will take its place, and in this way agitation after agitation will no doubt arise, but we prophecy with a like result. Prohibitionists have a strong argument in their war cry, “Down with Drunkenness,” because no sane man can gainsay the evil effects of the vice, and no one can" be got to argue that it is desirable to perpetuate it, and if any method could be devised to prohibit drunkenness it would receive the support of all. Prohibitionists can and only do look at the one viewabsolute prevention of the use of alcoholic liquors. We believe the great majority of the voters, however, have two issues, which are—firstly, the use of such ; and, secondly, the abuse. They are all prepared to join hands with the Prohibitionists in putting down the abuse, while we believe they would be equally unwilling to vote for the total disuse of it. It is asserted that the taste for drink is hereditary, and whatever truth there may be in this statement, it appears very evident that there is nothing hereditary in prohibition.- Some of the strongest advocates of prohibition are those who can speak from experience, and having had their day and suffered from its evil effects, are anxious to protect others from it, but their children are to be seen travelling the same road and gaining their experience in the same manner. Although all drunkards must be manufactured from moderate drinkers, a moderate drinker cannot be persuaded that he will become a drunkard, and until old age haads can be put on young age shoulders we do not see much hope of a reversal of such an ancient order of things. There is asserted to be a great waste of wealth through liquor consumption, but we do not think it has ever been attempted to prove that those who practice total abstinence are noted for acquiring wealth, and we do- not think the carrying of prohibition would cause any much more even distribution of the good things of this world.