JUSTICE TO ALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1053, 12 May 1910, Page 22

JUSTICE TO ALL.

“I am glad you are not scandalised about my laxity as to the ‘public-house.’ I really had no choice. How can I who drink good wine and bitter beer every day of my life, in a comfortable room among friends, coolly stand by and advise hard-working fellow creatures to take the pledge?’ What I am prepared to say is neither more nor less than- this—that the licensed victualler has the same right to fair consideration that is enjoyed by persons following every other trade or calling which is interfered with by Act of Parliament, and to whom compensation is awarded owing to such interference. We must not allow any political feeling or prejudice to interfere with the rectitude of our judgment, or to prevent us from giving the same measure of justice or indulgence to licensed victuallers that we should give to any other class in the community. . . . When Parliament enacted negro emancipation it wa s preceded by a preliminary resolution in which the principle of compensation was recognised.”—The late W. E. Gladstone, M.P.