THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES.

Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1094, 16 December 1899, Page 2

THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES.

Put Yourself In Their Place.

Will anyone say that life on aoch conditions as a triennial appeal to the ballot imposes on the brewer and the publican, ia worth the living? Let the tradesmen or the merchants or the manu facturers who are engaged in any other line of business put the question to themselves and face it straightforwardly. How would they like to have their prospects in life placed at at the arbitrament of a popular vote every three years, knowing, as everyone does, how fickle and inconstant a thing is popular opinion? Of course, those who are not in the trade may not trouble their heads to look at the subject in that light. Bat they may find it worth their while to do so.

At present the trade of the licensed victuallers is the only one which is placed under the Damocles' sword of Prohibition, suspended by a single hair — the triennial popular vote. Still, it only reqaires a wave of popular opinion to place the power of Prohibition directly in the people's hands in relation to other trades. It is quite conceivable, for instance, that the non-smokers might break out into such a fieroe and determined propaganda, and might bo powerfully play upon popular emotions and fears, as to secure the passage of a law making it necessary to appeal to the people every three years to say whether any more smoking shall be allowed in the land. There is nothing at all fanciful in this, for it mast be remembered that onehalf the voters of New Zealand — the women, for instance — are already confirmed non-smokers.

It ia even conceivable that vegetarianism might take snch a hold opon a powerfal section of the popalace that they would insist upon having the eating of animal food submitted to a triennial referendum. The argument might be carried a good deal farther, but we are not disposed to labour it. Moderation and fair play are the principles for which we are contending. This triennial referendum on the subject of the liquor traffic is not in the public interest. It is needlessly irritating, it distracts public attention from matters of more practical and urgent import, and it is an engine of positive cruelty in keeping a large and respectable section of the community — the licensed victuallers, the brewers, the wine and spirit merchants, the small farmers of the North who are devoting themselves to viticulture — on the rack, and under a perpetual threat of spoliation.

What ia wanted is a lengthening of the term which shall be covered by the popular fiat. Once it is recorded let it hold good for six years at least. Three years ia altogether too short a term. A six years' interval will save the conntry from this seething ferment and will drive into more nsefal occupations the horde of inflammatory agitators who now live npon this sort of thing. Besides, it will serve the purpose of the Prohibitionist just as much as that of the licensed victualler. In any district that declares itself for Prohibition it will have a six years' trial instead of being liable to be upset after three years. And, by affording [the trade a reasonable security of tennre, we shall gaard it from abase by keeping it in the bands of men of good character instead of handing it over to unscrupulous adventurers who will be desperately eager to enrich themselves by any and every means while the sun shines.