Labour Takes the Gleves Off

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 23, 13 December 1919, Page 5

Labour Takes the Gleves Off

WHAT THE "MAORILANO WORKER" THINKS OF PROHIBITION AND THE PROHIBITIONISTS.

(Published by Arrangement.)

One of the most surprising . incidents in 0; week, crowded with incidents has- been a remarkable oditonaJ with regard to Prohibition which appeared in the official organ of ihe Labour Party—The Maorilnnd Worker. The fact that this ; journalwhich probably carries more weight an ( ] influence with a specific class of the community than any other p'-iper. in the Dominion—should be pr'pared to allow its editor to make so strong an appeal is but another proof of the steady swing, of "popular opinion in favour of giving Prohibition a trial—• ' especially as it costs nothing to do so. The editorial reads as follows:

OUT WTJ}H THE LIQUOR TRADE

The liquor traffic must be destroyed. On December 17 the electors will be given a chance to wipe c.ut the infamy, of the open bar, and ive hope they will ... ,iise,. it effectively. This noxious trade, as it- is conducted to-day, is an open sore on the body*social. The people; have the choice of voting for the Liquor. Trade as it is, for State Purchase and Control of the Trade, and for Prohibition. We take it for granted that Labour supporters will vote against Continuance and 'for State Purchase, and Control or for Prohibition. As lie tweem the last two issues, it has to be borne in mind that a voie • for -\ State Purchase carries with it, com- !:. pensatioti' to "The Trade," which i means from £10,000,000 to £15,000,-' 000. .Is the trade worth this to >the :; State? Prohibition is a drastic re- f\ medy, doubtlsss,, but- it resembles ! in this respect the reforms demanded by Labour. The .moral effect of it' would be a great asset to Labour, as it would accustom the people, in- ■' tensely conservative like all British communities, to revolutionary reforms. It may, be doubted, of course, whether the people are prepared to go the length of Prohibition, but it is well worth a trial. For the nest V thre<? years social problems will face., the, people, calling for a clear head,;v the<;liquor trade shelved,* the; way would;be- clear for national.* 1 ' stock taking, and, the Labour Move-& msnb wouldj4fies : justified in calling on|| ;^TOn|b l >tionists to- support \ other* social/reforms. even the 'temporary, • reign,.,of - Pr6hi-f| bition; would -haye: an. immense vedu-| iyalue, and.it is safe to, that even if tHe people were not ,pre- ' pared to, contimxe; ;Probibitiont. tbey |! would never go: back to the open .bar, !>■■ or sanction so morally, indefensible l a|' proposition as compensation to the Liquor Trade, licensed as it'is from year to year only. As a nieanji of national discipline, w e beliC've s*rohir State, apart from its.gaint<^the national health and wealth, and would react, most beneficially, on, the Labour Movement, which- is'sprely hampered -by.such vested interests as"those!:of, ; ; the liquor trade. • These views of -p cpurse, the editorial views of Thev> uttered,in the exercise of •j|n i jfou ! !)ted right to ;>n Q*piWioi»,'and are not to be' «nqerstoodi aslbeing.thosVpf the jtitattj Pa;rty,| which is. "neutfal- H this -vqfcest;ion|| leaving- the.,fhatter by^. v the : elector^i't-'WefhjOpe. thai Labour f supporters will not hesitate to vote V against Continuance in any case, thus remove one of the worst stumb-ling-blocks' in- the- path of Labour.