The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1895. THE LIQUOR LAW.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 143, 15 November 1895, Page 2

The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 1895. THE LIQUOR LAW.

The Premier has got into the good graces, to a certain extent, of those favoring prohibition on account of the Act which he introduced last session in the House. In that Act, as passed by the Lower House, national prohibition was provided, but when it got to the Upper House this portion was deleted. Now the question which arises was be sincere in introducing such a law, or had he a preknowledge of what its fate would be in another place, thus availing himself of the temperance kudos and presumed support, whilst knowing it would be mutilated by those legislators who were not directly beholden to the electors for their seats, and who consequently could vote without any fear or expected favor from constituents. Our finances are now undoubtedly in a very strained position, putting the Government to it 3 wit's end to find the needful to carry on. Every available £ of Sinking Fund or other money has been swallowed in the vortex, and it is generally conceded that next session will see a proposal to borrow brought forward. If further direct borrowing is rejected, then it will become apparent and be admitted by the Government that thoy have reached the length of their tether. During the years of boasted surplusses taxation was not relieved in any way, but as eoon as a shortage loomed in the distance an attempt was made by raeaus of a new tariff to increase taxation. Of the amount raised through the Customs a very large sum accrues from the liquor trade, and if in eighteen months or two years' time this revenue were cut off through prohibition bsing carried how would the colony meet its engagements ? Prohibitionists say that other goods should be taxed to make good the deficiency, and that the expenditure on prisons, &c. would be decreased. Assuming that part of this expenditure is attributable to drink, the expenditure would not suddenly coase nor would it decrease very materially for some considerable time, but the Customs duties would die at once. The Premier must hive kjown that such would be the case, and that it would virtually bankrupt the colony. In the face of this we cannot believe that he was serious in allowing such an alternative to go to the people. He may have been of the same opinion as we are, that if a poll were taken on the general election day there would be no probability of it being carried, but if so, then he was only playing with the temperance party in offering them a stone instead of bread. As it is a matter affecting the fiances of the colony to such an extent this phase of it wants looking into and testing before the theoretical part of it is dealt with. In order to do this a Bill should be introduced to do away with all duties on alcoholic liquors, and adjust the taxation as it would have to bo borne if prohibition were carried. If this readjustment were accepted and proved satisfactory to the people, then one of the leading arguments in favor of a contiuuance of the trade would be knocked on the head. Higher duties on many of the necessaries of life would lead to their manufacture in the colony, which, from a protectionist point of view, would be desirable, as it would give more labor, but, on the other hand, it would decrease the revenue, and make another readjustment necessary until gradually, we are of opinion, taxation would be forced on the land, it being about the only non-importable commodity. The fact of reducing the price of alcohol, which the abolition of the duty would bring about, we do not think would lead to any increased consumption, and it would give both sides an opportunity of studying how the colony could get on without the revenue at present derived from it. The cheaper price would also leave more money available for other purposes, as is already claimed by proas a result of their ideas being given effect to.