Prohibition v. Drink.

Otago Witness, Issue 2666, 19 April 1905, Page 34

Prohibition v. Drink.

TO THE EDITOR.

Sik, — The tims is rapidly approaching when we again have to cast our vota for or against that much-vexed question the drink traffic. The publicans have themselves to blame for the present agitation, as they have continually broken the law by after-hour and Sunday trading, besides practising the temptation of placing young women behind the bar to attract the young men. Take away women from the bar, and I venture to say there would not be half the drinking among the young men, who, in the beginning, take the drink, not so much for love of it, as for the purpose of spooning with the young women behind the bar, who seem to draw some of the young men like a powerful magnet. Some of those young men, once bright and intelligent, were no doubt the pride of theii parents, who hoped that when they grow old and are no longer able to battle for an existence, their sons would be a stay and comfort to them in their declining years. Instead of becoming a help to their parents, they become a disgrace and an annoyance, and eventually some of them land in gaol. Their character and prospects alike have vanished, and they sink deeper into disgrace, deserted and shunned by their once friends. Young men, I plead with you for your own sake, and for the sake of those •who are nearest and dearest to you, to resolve to give a block vote against the demon that is lurking at your heels. — I am, etc. Observer. Invercargiil, April 13.