President of Auckland Farmer^ Uuion j Speaks Out on LIQUOR QUESTION. TO THE FARMERS OF NEW ZEALAND. It is only a fair and logica proposition for anyone attempt ihg to advise his fellows on an-; subject, that he should be pre pared to answer the question "What do you know about it?' for knowledge of the subjec alone can give a man the'righ to express an authoritativ< opinion. To that question I reply— "l know." BECAUSE— i For fprty -five years I have mad* a close study of , every phase o: the Liquor question. I have reac •ill the principal literature on th« ■subject— for and against; I have listened to every conceivable argu ment that hag been brought forward on both , sides, and during . those forty -five years I have had exceptional opportunities for close, observation oi ihe . operation* of the -traffic, both m the Old Land & n d m New Zealand. As the result of these years of study and investigation, conducted m a tolerant and ope n -minded manner, I : hmsro arrived at the conclusion that the report of "thef National Efficiency Board of 1917 should e*ertainly be carried into effectby prohibiting the importation, manufacture . and sale of all spirituous liquors except for , medicinal, Sacramental, and scientific purposes, and that, because, apart from the moral aspect of the Liquor traffic, the people of New Zealand will as a whole be richer, better .aducated, more healthy, and m every -way better fitted for the battle of life. BECAUSE— * The National Efficiency League : which consists almost entirely oi farmers and business men, aftei careful and close consideratior finds that' 9o per cent of the addi. tional taxation Jmposed. as the.re suit of. the v*ar. has been placec on the shoulders -of .tire farmer* and./ the- business. ( men.' It wil therefore follow that 90 per ceni of the load of debt left by th war will have to be.carried by the farmers, and business men. Ti therefore becomes; essential m the interests of, economy that the waste caused by the liquor traffic should cease. BECAUSE— The- payment of compensation tc those haying interests m the Liquor Trade can be met without additional taxation out of the increased earnings and savings oi the. .community, -which 'actual ex; perience ., in other countries has shown will follow upon National s Prohibition. BECAUSE— Those controlling, the . J_iquo. -Trade .have had .centuries to demonstrate how the sale of liquoi can be conducted without .the eyilsi' which ar« ao obvioualy attendant upon it, and -have failed; whilst every :; conceivable ' effort which has been made to regulate and control the traffic has proved equally unsatisfactory. BECAUSE— New Zealand must be ready .tci compete on an equai footing with the great Prohibition .countries of the United States and; Canada. BECAUSE— In order to lighten the load of debt and taxation that farmed and business men are faced with'j the waste and inefficiency caused by drink must be cut but, clearing the way for increased production, reduced taxation, reduced cost of living, and better social conditions. >■.._.. ;-y.v.::,vs iM-mW^i^^f^S^mj^Smm^ And, just as I have for many years endeavored to serve my •fellow farmers by pointing the way to many needed reforms, and helping to form an enlightened public opinion on the prin*cipal question of the day, so 1 now unhesitatingly urge you to ■get into line with tliis great reform. Be on the winning side on the 10th April next, so that m the days to come, when the wisdom, of banishing the liquor traffic will have come id be recognised as beyond question, you will be able to claim that you did your part m making this fair land a better and safer 'place for you and -yours tp 'live dLn, and for the men, women and ohildren of the future. lames ftwldie
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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14880, 7 April 1919, Page 5
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634Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14880, 7 April 1919, Page 5
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