The Drink Demon. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2325, 22 September 1898, Page 29

The Drink Demon. TO THE EDITOR.

Sib, — It is patent to an observer that the dj.inking system is a national disgrace. 1 wonder it has continued down to this time^ — the weakness, the burden, the curse, and shame of New Zealand people. Money spent upon it at the best is thrown away. It neither supplies the natural wants of- men nor offers an adequate substitute for them. Some people say, it is nourishing. But the nati6nal result is loss of wealth and health, ignorance arid vice, insanity and brutality. To make, buy, and us© as a food that which is not a food ia a violation of natural morality. It 'is quite usual to hear such nonsense as " the beneficial action of stimulants -wheri used in moderation." People wKo know "the nature of intoxicants should riot call them stimulants; it is a deceptive term. It seems to' make one think it will build them up; • make them stronger ; but it" is only a stimulant such as the whip or- the spur is a- stimulant to the horse. It should" always be called a paralyser, for its nature is to paralyse. Most people seem to think it is a panacea for all ills. When anything ails them they fly to the bottle, and if you were to tell them the truth, that they were leaning on a broken reed, they would lo6k on. you with pity, as if you had lost your senses, if ever you had any, so assured do they feel of the great good there is in it. Statistics prove that abstainers do not only live the longest, but are the healthiest, and can. stand privations, whether in a hot or cold climate, much better than the drinker. Wolselej; knew the difference under India's scorching sun, and Nansen, also, when in search of tha North Polo. Neither Nansen'nor any of his craw tasted intoxicating liquor the whole tnree years they wore away, and they were all in the best of health. Every person who woxild truly go in for national prosperity must first of all get done with the drink. Fathers and mothers, can you not take this step for yoxir own benefit, and train up your children more wisely in the way in which they should go when they leave your roof to breast the storms and grapple with the trials of life?— l am, etc., Pascal.