THE CZAR’S DECREE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 52, 23 June 1914, Page 3

THE CZAR’S DECREE.

[To The Editor Stratford Post.] Sir,—ln your issue of the 20th appears a, cable headed a "Teetotal Army," and from it we learn that the Czar of Russia lias issued a decree for total prohibition for the officers a'nd men of the Army, and we can fairly presume it will Apply to the navy -as well. Now llussia was the country, that was going to show the world what State control would do, it did it, and the results, according to Baton de Witte, were absolutely appalling. America has abolished liquor out. of her army and navy, llussia follows, and if we don't hurry up in New Zealand and wipe out this "Trade" we will be sorry. We.have kept a record for one month of the crimes and deaths from this "Trade," taken from your columns, and the result is also appalling. Look at the Christchur'ch ease—a girl fifteen years of age drunk in the street. Mr Bishop, S.'M.--, says, one of the worst cases for thirty years. The two gum-diggers who fell in the fire were so bad that they could not crawl out. Take our own police court this last six weeks, and we have put. up a record. If I remember rightly, 37 criminal cases, not counting by-laws, results of the "Trade." The Government tell us what the smallpox cost; why, we have killed more men and women with liquor in three months than smallpox has done for 20 years. Fancy any other "Trade" killing off people and being licensed by the people to continue. A gentleman told mo to-day he would vote for prohibition only that liquor was good for sickness, but he had to admit that people who took alcohol for sickness always prescribed for themselves. Just one instance last year: Our hospital pirt through 200 patients all pretty bad rnses; it cost us about £64 for milk, and 16s for alcoholic drinks. How about its value as a medicine? lam satisfied that the people are awake to the evil effects/ of this thing that goes under the name of the "Trade," and it has to go.—l sua, etc., CD. SOLE.