PREPARING FOR THE FIGHT.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume X, Issue 476, 7 September 1899, Page 18

PREPARING FOR THE FIGHT.

There is a certain amount of reason in the rumour that the General Election ■will take place somewhat earlier than originally intended. If Parliament should dissolve early next month the election might easily take place at the beginning of November. Humour has it that the Parliament will close its session at the commencement of October, and that the election will take place as soon as is possible afterwards. We know that the Trade has been putting the election down to take place in December. Should an earlier dissolution than originally intended take place there is a chance of the Trade being unprepared in some quarters. Therefore we say that it is the duty of the organisations throughout the colony to be up and doing at once. It is a bad mistake to wait until the eleventh hour before making an effort. Our enemies are never resting, they are never abstaining from the work of damaging the Trade by fair means or foul, and as the polling day approaches we may depend upon an increased activity on the part of the prohibitionists. Herein Auckland our organisation may be all right. We know - that in Canterbury and Taranaki movements are on foot to combat the wily tactics of the teetotalers. But we have not seen many signs of activity in the Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, and Otago provinces. In these centres there is danger threatening, and if by a word in season we can quicken the actions of the organisations in those districts we will cheerfully give it. The Trade organisers must let the voters in those provinces know that prohibition is a most unjust and unjustifiable attempt to restrict the liberty of the subject. The attempt to carry prohibition will most certainly result in failure if action is united and all the friends of the Trade go to the poll. There must be no abstention because of a feeling of confidence; every effort must be put forth, and then we shall beat prohibition all along the line. If things are taken too easily the risk of not winning the battle is increased for there is no greater danger to a cause than over-confidence. The friends of the Trade comprise men who would be free as well as the moderate section of the community. Put before them as strongly as possible the evil effects of prohibition, and then see that they all go to the poll. If there are any other districts where people are dubious as to the way they should vote no time should be lost in putting before them the plain issues of the case. Prohibition means confiscation, no liberty and a great wrong. Let the voters of New Zealand clearly understand that, and half the battle is won. The victory will be completed, at the polls.