THE ENLARGED CAT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1578, 5 March 1919, Page 6

THE ENLARGED CAT.

To the Editor of THE SUN. Sir, —A year or two ago I read some fairly circumstantial and detailed accounts of the success which had attended the efforts of those who wished to produce "denatured”—l think that was the term —beer, wine, and spirits. By the process adopted beer and spirits were produced which were indistinguishable in taste and appearance from the usual article but were non-alcoholic. From them you could obtain all the results of drinking beer or whisky except that you would "get no forrarder.” In your issue of February 26 there is an account of the speeches on Prohibition at the Presbyterian Assembly, in the course of which the Eev. A. Miller makes some illuminating remarks. "Even if Prohibition were carried it would not mean that hotel bars would hare to close up. They could sell non-alcoholic Honors. He had heard for some time past the breweries had had formulae for making non-alcoholic liquors. ’ ’ What a beautiful game it is. The brewers are to be paid 4* millions for loss of trade. As soon as it has been paid they will start to sell non-alcoholic beer manufactured during the three months’ grace. And ministers of religion who know that the Trade is to suffer no loss are foremost in urging the public to vote compensation I If mere farmers or editors resorted to such practices they would be hard pressed to clear themselves from a charge of endeavouring to wring money out of the public under false pretences. But, of course, a preacher of the Gospel is beyond suspicion. Still, that will make it no better for those who have to find that 4i million. Tho indifference, not to say complacency, with which members of the liquor trade regard the situation does not appear quite so inexplicable as .it did. If they are to be paid 4J millions for switching off one process on to another equally profitable their inaction is accounted for.' I have always regarded this compensation idea as the most palpable and egregious swindle that ever has been attempted in this country. The Moiggs contract for the West Coast railway was pretty hot stuff. But at least we should have got something for our money, whereas under the present proposals wo are to pay for a loss which will riot eventuate, At present no parson is ever to he found in a bar. Not because of any snobbish unwillingness to mix with the lowah ordalis but because of the blighting presence of alcohol. But with tho removal of alcohol from beer the parson will find in the bar a ready and welcome moans of mixing with his flock. He will bo found urging the repeal of tho antl-shout-ir.g clause that he may twine himself tho more easily around our affections. Como on, boys, have this one with me. When I commenced to read Mr Miller ’s remarks I sort of half expected that lie or some of his fellows would urge that no compensation should bo paid until tho exact amount of loss had been ascertained. But ho docs not appear to have any scruples or apprehensions on that scoro. But for the rest of us it is not out of place to remember that if we do not veto compensation in April we can do so ou some future occasion, whereas if we once vote it w'e can never get it back, though hotels and breweries should become more profitable than over. In any case, this is an attempt to secure for Mr Miller’s remarks some of tho publicity to which they are entitled. —I am, etc., C. LEWIS.