The Licensing Question.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 23 August 1911, Page 5

The Licensing Question.

UNION MEN—BEAD THIS I ' MILLS ON ALCOHOLISM. ",On Saturday afternoon, July 23rd, in the Opera House Auckland. Professor Mills, now organiser in New Zealand for the United Labour Party, gave an address oh the above subject before a large audience, which address will be long remembered by those who had the privilige to being present," I says the Vanguard of August sth. " Mr Mills in his introductory remarks dealt with the bare majority. He showed that it was in a democratic community the only method of with subjects at the ballot box in an equitable manner. Said he, when they urge the necessity ior something more than the bare majority tell them that there are only twoJr'ay of settling a question, cither by a bare majority or a hare minority and that,.your prefer the former. Alcohol, like opium and morphia, creats a demand for further gratification. It is the nature of these drugs to capture the whole man, when . they secure that dominion. there is no lie the victim will not tell, or crime he will not commit, to gratify his appetite Definite conclusions have been reached by searching experiments pursued by scientific men, uninfluenced by any party cry or election appeal, but the result of accurate scientific research. It is demonstrated beyond a doubt that Alcohol is not a Food. I All growing bodies demand food for sustenance and IWelopment, but alcohol cannot give it. It is equally true that alcohol is not a stimulant. There was a time whem temperance I advocates used to say that alcohol was • a stimulant, but they don't say so now. | It used to be thought that under the | influence of alcohol you could draw on to-morrow, and use the surplus now. But you can't I- The extra strength you use, you use it now j you pay for it noio. Stitnulus--a something to quicken me power to increase my ability! Does alcohol do it ? No, it has not the power. Careful experiments have been made with smiths, by scientific men. They have tried the strength of blow, the accuracy of aim, and always the use of alcohol, even A Single Glass was Injurious. So with the linotype, a machine most trying to the operator. The machinist had the impressiori that he was doing better work with a little liquor, but in every case it was found to be detrimental. His work was less efficient and the proof reader had a much more difficult task. People talk about the wit a glass or two of liquor stimulates. What's the fact? The man's not himself. He laughs now at the pointless jokd because he does not know any better. He's off his guard. Alcohol is good for nothing inside your body. Use it in your alcoholic lamp. ! : Now "we've gouts use. Alcohol is the 'cheapest power we can obtain; for driving motors and similar things, it is of immense value. The lecturer forcibly illustiated how the license system carried the condemnation of the traffic. The state prohibited the many and only permitted the few to.sell. Even when they had the permission, they could not sell until they first paid a monetary consideration. But with it all, a man says, "If I drink, Its my own BuisixessV' ilsit ? What about your wife ? What about your unborn child ? Has society no interest whether you drink or not ? It's a social question, affecting the whole community and they have a right to have a say on this question. Well now, an eleot*on is coming soon nn4 J shaU he at that election, and be here all the days between and you ask where will the Labour Party be on this question. Well I'm not here to speak for the Labour Party but tor W. T. Mills } b,ut like your, churches, people, will vote each way, so with the conservatives, the liberalsy the; socialists,; the labourites, they will.nojfce as they think best i for wisely this is not a political party question. It is a people's question, I have no hesitation in recom* mending you Never to use alcohol.' its no use to you in any way, but always injurious. And on election day "VOTE IT OUT,"