PUNISHING THE PUfiLICANS

West Coast Times, Issue 10427, 4 December 1896, Page 4

PUNISHING THE PUfiLICANS

(To the Editor.) Sir, — As a class, the unfortunate publicans have been constantly punished by Sham Liberalism, additional shilling on spirits, additional duty on beer, and other tiarrassing imposts, and on election daythey will have further proof of attentions p lid them by Mr Seddon, an ex-publicau himnelf, but now the leader of the most tyrannical Liberalism ever imposed on the liberty of the subject" in Xew Zealand on election day, and simply done to fool the Temperance party. The only day, once in three years, when publicans might expect to, do a little extra business they are virtually told to shut up their shops or be subjected to the inquisition of the police, or run th<j risk of prosecution and endorsement of their license, and all sorts of pains and penalties for pursuing their legitimate calling. ._ monstrous injustice to say the least of it, but quite in keeping with Mr Seddon's ideas of ruling the people. Nevertheless this wizard and autocrat is lauded to the skies by wine and spirit merchants, brewers and publicans, who sound his praises in the most craven spirit, like certain animals that licks the hand that ftnites them. The only apparent explanation, however, is the many bunches of carrots, of favors to come, that are kept dangling before their noses by this sham liberal magician. '' Don't they wish they may get them." How he laughs up his sloeve a.s he does — generally over his conjuring tricks — nsk his wafcernce friend whit he has to thank him for j — isk the Horticultural Society and ask • many moie and this answer will be — " Nothing but broken promises, selfishness and deceit." I am, etc., Disgusted. Hokitika, Dec. 3rd.