THE LICENSING QUESTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3392, 6 December 1911, Page 2

THE LICENSING QUESTION.

TO THE LADIES OF THE GISBORNE

ELECTORATE.

(Published by arrangement.) (To the Editor.) Sir, —On Thursday next, the 7tli December, will bo decided the important question as to whether or not a change shall ‘take place in tho Licensing Law as it affects this electorate. The Hon. Sir James Carroll, our esteemed representative, has, as everyone knows, been returned unopposed, and he has _ unhesitatingly declared that his experience of Local Option is that it is a inasmuch that it docs not prohibit. That statesman is remarkable for the calm, sane, and wise judgments he forms on the many issues affecting the welfare of the people, and therefore liis views on .this important issue should be carefully weighed and pondered over. AVhen the Legislature paid the ladies the high compliment of extending to them full rights of citizenship, it would only have been on the assumption that they were capable of exorcising tins great privilege in a dispassionate and judicial manner. Tho 7th December will put them to the test. And wlmt have they to consider and decide ? li they are to bo fair the position of the ladies in this regard is extremely delicate and difficult. They are being called upon to decide a matter of which the great m a ion tv of them can know very little. It is' a safe estimate to state that not 10 per cent, of the ladies of this electorate have ever been inside a hotel or had occasion to avail themselves of the comforts therein provided. The hotel is an institution that meets the requirements especially of the business community and travelling public. Entirely apart "from providing refreshments. it offers without restriction facilities for men to meet together at all times of the day (and when it would be extremely inconvenient to invite visitors to their dwellings) to deal with matters of business or human concerns. A well conducted hotel is in every respect a true and comfortable homo to those who find shelter within its walls. Then the spirit of interference has entered and is entering so widely into tho conduct of hotels as to become almost a serious menace not only to the personal liberty of tho host, but to the guest who when living in a home of his own would he immune from the restrictions imposed and enjoy perfect freedom. Extremists can only see one side, that is the evil side, but it should he remembered that ALL EXTREM l'.S ARE DANGEROUS, and that the true man is he who can face and overcome both moral and physical danger. That is the steel on which he is tried before he can meiit our esteem and regard. Should he he too weak or too selfish to permit himself to reach the true standard of virile manhood, he is ail object of pi tv, and will have due protection.. After weighing the whole position carefully in the balance, and considering the* loss, hardship, and evil effects that would result from so drastic a change, which under present circumstances is not in any way justifiable, there can he little doubt that any interference with the existing workable condition of things would be an unfortunate mistake. MARGARET MAYNARD.