RESTORATION.

Southland Times, Issue 20633, 3 November 1928, Page 3

RESTORATION.

To the Editor. Sir, —Mr Tom Giller is helping to keep the screen over No-License in Invercargill, so that he who does not want to see can keep believing everything is all right; but I am pleased to think that other men although being staunch National Prohibitionists are doing their best to destroy that screen and so do away once and for all with the most farcical legislation that our town has ever had.—l am, etc., RESTORATION. To the Editor. Sir.—The Restorationists have some queer arguments which by the way are the same that gulled the electors of Ohinemuri, and they are now attempting to put it across Invercargill, and Masterton. They say a dozen or so pubs will bring business to the town. Who spends most money in the town? Visitors or those residing here. I contend the people who are earning their money here are responsible for 99 per cent, of the business done. Restore the pubs and then how much will be spent in them? According to figures relating to wet areas there would be handed over those bars £140,000 per annum, and who gets that money ? the brewer, distiller, etc., it certainly does not remain in the town, and we are asked to see the improvement in buildings on the £140,000 that will be spent in a commodity that means just waste, for we see nothing for booze but sore heads, bad tempers, ill health, etc,, etc. The economics of the party, who, I am given to understand are led by a licensed second hand dealer are surely at fault, for I cannot see how £140,000 spent in something which produces nothing and eventually leaves the town can cause prosperity to the people living here. I would suggest that the electors are too wise to be fooled by such arguments as are put up by the committee representing a supposed 80 per cent, of the business men of Invercargill. Surely the Restorationists do not expect us to believe a yarn like that.—l am, etc., SOUND BUSINESS. To the Editor. Sir, —Your correspondent “Opium” evidently does not believe in evil things being shown in the light of day but prefers that they should be hidden under a cloak of darkness and so let them still continue their vile work. There are none so blind as those who will not see; openness breeds virtue not vice. He asks if “Visitor” knew Invercargill in its license days 22 years ago. Another pen than mine has already pointed out that the conduct of hotels to-day is totally different from that of 22 years ago. For his information I would point out that the hours are now from nine o’clock in the morning until six o’clock in the evening and not from 6 a.m. till 10 p.m. as formerly. Some of “Observer’s statements may no doubt apply and would suit quite well as an argument against National Continuance but do not have any bearing on the local question. He admits that drinking goes on in Invercargill, but does not seem to have any idea of the quantity. He evidently prefers to see one or two persons who do not spend their money in Invercargill receive the rich harvest from the sale of such liquor. He refers to the dirty heaps of j

shacks over the Waihopai and the Wallacetown pubs but evidently prefers that the Invercargill resident should receive his glass of ale from such sources. He does not like to see the cars running out to Wallacetown with booze parties, therefore let him vote Restoration and so remove the necessity for such trips. He says that on a recent Saturday evening in Winton he saw five men under the influence of liquor. I ask were they residents of Winton or were they from a No-License district. He does not believe that 80 per cent, of the business house of Invercargill are in favour of Restoration. I would suggest that he compile a list of those who are not and by doing a little simple arithmetic I have no doubt he will arrive at the correct figure.—l am, etc., BOTH EYES OPEN.

To the Editor. Sir, —A great deal has been written on this subject through the medium of your paper, and I would like to express my views on the subject. Whether to have National Prohibition in New Zealand or License; the present system is absurd. Take for instance Invercargill, we are debarred from having hotels in our midst but two miles from the Post Office we have two breweries where anybody can procure a couple of gallons of beer and immediately return to our city to consume it. If harder stuff is required there are taxi-cabs to take us to Wallacetown a distance of about 5 miles for 1/-. We can then fill ourselves inside and out and return to our homes in the city. The present system would be laughable were it not serious as. all the money spent at Wallacetpwn is made in Invercargill and for which we receive no return. It is commonly rumoured that one of these gold mines is netting over £30,000 per annum in profit, enough to greatly assist 12 licensed houses in Invercargill. In tfie event of Restoration the present hotels instead of employing a staff or 60 or 70 all told, would require to employ at least 300. Another fact is the great activity that would be shown in Invercargill; all the present hotels would require extensive alterations and repairs, whilst at least four or five new buildings would be required. Think what this would mean to the present unemployed; work for all for the next two or three years and at the end of that time business would be so greatly increased that our town would be a hive of industry instead of a struggling community. A lot has been said about the Trade wishing Restoration in Invercargill, but I am quite convinced that this is the last thing the wine and spirit merchants want as at the present time they are receiving retail prices for wholesale orders and must be coining money. It is cheaper to send to Dunedin and further north for liquor than to purchase locally in spite of the extra railage charges. Fellow Citizens—lf your ideas are for Prohibition, vote National Prohibition and Local Restoration and give Invercargill a chance to compete with other towns by restoring to us up-to-date accommodation and facilities to attract tourists and others to our town, —I am, etc.,