PURE LIQUOR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143762, 10 April 1912, Page 7

PURE LIQUOR.

CTo tho Editor.l Sir, —The Auckland Anglican Bishop last -,vock pressed his hearers to make an endeavour to insist on tho supply of pure drink by licensed victuallers. Bishop Crosslcy’s words on the point are memorable; “I say to tho temperance party in this country, you have not done as yon ought in this respect. You have been content to see tho worse conditions prevail. Some of you have even made the boast that the worse the prevailing conditions of the liquor traffic, the better it is for the temperance party. Gentlemen, I toll yon that it is not moral. Wo ought, to demand by legislation pure drink.” As 1 understand, the law fully provides for action being taken, but nothing is done by those who should act. Let me accentuate tho Bishop’s words. Not long since tho captain of a steamer remarked to the writer that when ho was in a coal port, wdneh he named, his stokers came off to tho ship not drunk, but mad. Stand, he added, at tho entrance of any club house in Australasia and watch for a member in the condition my men are in when they come aboard. No such experience is possible. A few years since the Collector of Customs at a Now Zealand port, upon considering a report of his assistant upon a certain consignment of whisky from tho Continent of Europe, ordered him to inform the consignee that the parcel could not be allowed entry at the port, hut must be returned to the consignors. Think of this, ye who profess so much. Here is an officer who does his duty in his office without any pretensions to be bettor than his fellows. All honour to that officer. As I understand, the Police Department is bound to act. Who lias asked that action ho taken on behalf of men in tho position of stokers, alluded to? Is not onr brother’s blood crying to ns to do onr duty ? Who amongst ns will come out and upon the good churchman’s admonition? Who Ivill do something practical to meet tho suggestion of the sea captain on behalf of liis stokers? —I am, etc., BRENNXJS.