ACTING PRIME MINISTER'S VIEWS ON PROHIBITION.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15042, 9 April 1919, Page 5

ACTING PRIME MINISTER'S VIEWS ON PROHIBITION.

NO ANXIETY ABOUT REVENUE

INCREASE IN PRODUCTION CAN BE EXPECTED.

LIQUOR IS A NATIONAL

MENACE

PROHIBITION ESSENTIAL FOR NATIONAL EFFICIENCY.

Following is a copy of a letter from Sir James Allen to his constituents:

T , Wellington, 2nd April, 1919. J. B. M'Kinlay, Esq., Lawrence ; D. Clements, Kaitangata; and W. Moore, Esq., Milton. Dear Mr. Moore,—The issue to be deqided on the 10th of this month is so important that I feel compelled.to place before you niy views on, the liquor question, arrived at after many years of public life,, and especially owing to experiences since the war began. Ido ■not "write as a member of the Government, but as a citizen who is entitled to give expression to his opinions., in the hope that good may result. There are two arguments used in favour, of the continuance of the liquor traffic:— (1) Loss of Customs revenue. (2) Interference with the liberty of the individual. Interference with liberty appears to be the chief argument used by those in favour of the continuance of the use of intoxicating liquor. There are.many who enjoy a, glass of wine, and probably more who prize the .liberty to do as they like within the bounds of law. I myself can enjoy a glass of wine, and the liberty which the law allows is dear to me, but I am willing to give up a pleasure and part with a portion of my freedom in order to remove from my fellow man. a temptation which he cannot resist and which is a menace to him.

The evidence which appeals to me is:— .

(1) The evil effects on those who indulge and the ruination in many, cases of family life. . " ■ II have no anxiety about the revenue. The Customs revenue from alcoholic liquor and beer during the Jast ten years has averaged £867,696 per annum. For the year 1918 it amounted \to £816,828. There are several sources from which to make this good: (a) Customs revenue from dutiable goods imported in large quantities owing to the expenditure of an additional four or five millions, and probably more, that was previously spent on liquor, being diverted to other channels, (b) Additional revenue from incomes, which will be greater because increased incomes, due to/greater efficiency, and the expenditure of a large sum of money now spent-on liquor. From a personal knowledge of the coal industry, I am in a position to state that after pay day, there is a falling off in production. I am informed that this is true of other industries also, (c) Taxation. The sources of revenue indicated in (a) and (b) will, in my opinion, be ample to meet the loss of Customs revenue from liquor. It is not my purpose to comment on the general evil effects, which are apparent, but there are sad stories which the public do not know of. During the war it has been my duty to deal ■with separation allowances to wives, and especially to wives living away from their husbands. In many cases drink was the cause of the break-up of the homes. By way of contrast I draw a comparison from my own experience. Some years ago certain coal miners moved to a no-license district to take tip farming. When visiting the district a few years later I had a meal at the home of one of these men. Round the table sat a happy

family. The district was somewhat isolated, and-1 asked the wife if she felt lonely and whether she did not at times wish, to be back at her old home*. Her reply was: "There is no Puke here." "Puke" was the shortened name of the hotel near the coal mine, from which the family had moved. It needs little imagination to understand the full meaning of the wife's answer. , (2) The' menace to some of the returned soldiers, both fit and medically unfit. It is unfair to discriminate between soldier and civilian. The closing of hotel bars when a transport arrives alongside the wharf and six o'clock closing apply to soldier and civilian alike. Will any civilian argue that he is not prepared to put up with these curtailments of his liberty in the interests of soldiers and their kith and kin? These curtailments of the personal liberty of soldier and civilian argue that he is not prepared to put up with these curtailments of Ms liberty in the interests .of soldiers and their kith and kin? These "curtailments of the personal liberty of "soldier and civilian have not in many cases prevented the supply of too much liquor to returned men. No one with , eyes.-to see can deny this. Socalled friends, not real friends, of the soldier have, found means to evade the regulations and the Act, the result often being Affection and time will it is hoped, repair the sad hearts, but is there not a clear call to prevent such things in. the future, even if it does "demand some sacrifice? Necessity did,'however, demand some discrimination, which has taken the form of regulations to prevent the supply of liquor to troop trains- and to the sick arid wounded whilst undergoing hospital treatment. "Onder the present law this discrimination could not be avoided. On April 10th there will be an opportunity to get rid of the discrimination, and to make effective the regulations which were devised to protect the soldier and to assist the sick and wounded to speedy and more certain recovery. (3) Immorality and venereal disease. I do not desire to comment on these uncavoury subjects myself. A British Royal Commission not long ago reported on venereal disease, and 1 quote from the final report:— "The relation between alcohol and venereal disease. Abundant evidence was given as to the intimate relation between alcohol and venereal diseases. Alcohol renders a man liable to yield to temptations which he might otherwise resist, and aggravates the disease by diminishing the resistance of the individual. . . . ( > "The facts point to fhe conclusion that.decrease in the use of alcohol will be an ~~ important factor in diminishing the prevalence of venereal disease. . . General conclusions (page 65): Our evidence tends to show that the communication of disease is frequently due to indulgence in intoxicants, and there is no doubt that the growth of temperance among, the population will help to

bring about an amelioration of the rerV revSoV' a' Wh'Ch °Ur ***&*& (4) National Efficiency This asm.of ' of the-question has Len fSlyTscussed, and nothing further n/edte "Wfc r, eXQeF ask the questions! dry? The answer, it appears to me must be "For national efficiency^' Can a V et country successfully comi^N?" ay °ne? My aßswer No one has suggested to me that I should write this, letter. It has been sent on my own initiative in the hope that it may be of some service to'mv constituents, and you are at libert>to use it as' you think best. —I am etc (Signed) j. ALLTSN. *' This letter giving Sir James Alien's private views on the liquor question was sent to three gentlemen, in the Bruce electorate, who were empowered to make whatever use of it they wished." Sir James, Allen received a telegram from them OQ^ Saturday, stating that it was their unanimous wish that the letter should be given publicity. It jhas accordingly been handed to the ipress for publication.* ■