ABSTINENCE AND INDULGENCE Sm,—Your correspondent, Mr. Hotson, is evidently unaware
that whisky contributes far more to this nation's food supplies than . it takes away. If you consider last year's exports of whisky, ke example, you find that for every Li worth. of barley taken for,distilling, more _than £6 was provided for buying alternative food abroad, such as shell and powdered eggs, and canned meats: In other-words,' the stoppage of distilling costs the country six times 'the food-value of the barley saved ; and this is a conservative figure.
As to the £685 millions spent by thepublic, in the case of whisky 70 per cent. is, tax used for national services th'which abstainers contribute nothing. Abstainers, then, are not cheated. Consurners of alcohol have no desire to hinder abstention, and surely have the right to-a corresponding indulgence themselves.Yours faithfully, • ' Pawn. GEE. 67, New Cavendish Street, W.r.