THE LICENSING LAW.

Southland Times, Issue 14579, 21 November 1910, Page 2

THE LICENSING LAW.

{To the Editor.) Sir, — In your issue of UHh Inst, a representative of the extreme party is .reported to have said that one ot the effects of the new legislation will he that unlicensed clubs will have to close. ihls merely reveals the usual ignorance of these men of cyclopean vision, anti Indicates their distorted ideas of what a chib represents. . In every community of any Importance will be found a club which is established for the social and literary advantages of its members. These Institutions are almost without exception thoroughly representative ot all that is best in the professional and commercial life of the town, and are not dependent upon liquor for then existence. They are schools ot thought and politics, and also provide healthy recreation for members who wish to avail themselves of such. Your contributor Is no doubt quite in Ignorance- ot die fact that frequently a very large proportion of thtT members of such ilubs are total abstainers, and that it v*,s not unusual for a day to pass without a glass of liquor being consumed >n the premises. The statement undei notice conveys a wholly wrong idea to the public, and that it is born of ignotance does not alter the fact. Clubs will not close because Mr So and boi says they must, but they will no rioubt continue their useful functions. Hint the licensing law of the day may bristle with the most absurd anomalies and reflect the worst features of our narrowmindedness. bred of insularity, is another matter, and does not effect the main objects of a club. —I am, etc., , FRANK D. MOIUIAH. Nov. 19, 1910.