Parsons, Prohibition, and Politics.

Southland Times, Issue 18019, 15 December 1902, Page 4

Parsons, Prohibition, and Politics.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Re M r Handyside’s letter which appeared in your issue of the Bth, I heartily endorse the sentiments expressed therein, and while doing so would say that I am of opinion that unless the coming sessions bring new measure whereby this present state of devastation is checked our country generally will be plunged into something akin to serious trouble. While admitting that the trade in many places is not what it flight be, I maintain that if the moderate parry took action and crusaded before the public as the prohibitionists have done, it would have strengthened their cause materially. Much may be said when the Government take to remedying their mistakes of the past re the licensing laws, and the prohibition party may threaten to unseat the Government. But there are two sides to this issue. The moderate party are fully alive to the injustice of prohibition, and have their ire to release on the subject. Of the churches I would say that if their representatives would preach that which churches were built and intended for it would be more in keeping with their profession than influencing persons of light brain who know no better to take on this prohibition craze. If compensation were given to persons owning the property and having (as in most cases) their all invested and sunk there, it would not be so unjust as under the present system, where prohibition either sends the tenant into the streets penniless or compels him to stay where he is and take to sly-grog selling, which is certainly worse than the legitimate hotel. Prohibition lecturers from various platforms assert that in America the state of Maine is an illustration of success and prosperity through prohibition ; also that our depressed district of Clutha is in a prosperous state brought about by prohibition. L have not I been in the state of Mainemyself but reading I the reports of two of the leading prohibition I lecturers (who we must take it are the very I acme of authority) I see they say themselves I that there are some hundreds of sly-grog I shops, drinking saloons, and secret dens of I the lowest type, and more drunkenness than I in the city of London. This is the prohibited I state of Maine, as one of our present I M.H.R’s can testify. He stayed there for three mouths last year. Does reduction I or prohibition when taken in individual electorates only, stamp out drink? ho, certainly not. For as is now the cause irr | the Clutha district (besides the fact that sly I grog shops still abound in that district) large I quantities of drink are brought into many I homes where only an occasional glass was I taken when hotels were licensed. I may I say I know something of Clutha district, having lived in and on the boundaries of it I for six years. While lam not pessimistic, I I am in a quandary as to what will become of the over-zealous part of the clergy and I prohibition lecturers when their aims are I accomplished. In conclusion, I would ask to I what extent will the prohibitionists or I fanatics contribute to those rendered penni- I less through this recent poll ? lam afraid it would be trifling if tested—not even a I loaf of bread, but plenty of prayers and good- I wishes. I am, &e., Jas. Gordon. Drummond, 11th December.