A PLEA FOR TOLERANCE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 954, 18 June 1908, Page 22

A PLEA FOR TOLERANCE.

Each of us who is not blinded by the idea that the abolition of alcohol drink would produce the millennium recognises that, though the prevalent abuse of stimulants necessitates state supervision of their sale, the trade is not in any sense an illegitimate one, and that those who hold property in it have as good a right to the protection of the law as have the possessors of any other vested rights. “Once let the principle of confiscation be established in England, and the public-house won’t be the only one to suffer from its action.” From the nature of the case —the patent evils that arise from intemperance and the self-righteous advertisement of so many of those sincerely enough fighting them —arbitrary state interference in the licensing question meets with a measure of public approval that would be accorded to similar measures in no other instance, and which adequate consideration will convince to be neither justifiable nor likely to have good effect in restricting immediate drinking.—“ Manchester Courier.”

The reporter of a big London daily was interviewing a Crimean veteran in Chelsea Hospital the other day. “I see the trace of a scar along your left cheek, sir,” said the newman, "that must have an interesting history.” “Oh!,I don’t know,” said the modest warrior. ; “How did you get it?” “Xy.ellg youi see,” . replied the o,ld man, “after I had run about a nule" I* - got- ; kind b’ : . careless “ J and looked batkl”. 5 . 1 ?"..j. I ;’’’’ ........ *' . ‘