Here is our argument for the elimination of private profit
in a nutshell. You cannot on moral grounds allow free trade in the manufacture and sale of intoxicants. There must be strict limits placed upon the trade. But this means monopoly, and monopoly in private hands. That again means tho endowment of certain persons with tremendous powers and privileges and money values. Private monopoly is bad per se, but what is worse is, when you have made a monopoly and handed it over to private persons, to proceed to tax it so heavily that it is only possible for those engaged in it to make a profit by very keen and stimulating trading. The Liquor Trade under existing conditions, if it is to live, has got to be no sleepy monopoly, but a very active and businesslike venture. To pay both taxes and dividends the monopolists must exploit the sale of intoxicants in every possible way. But that is not all. Owing to circumstances which are not discreditable but creditable, a power- ful Temperance Party has grown up pledged to oppose the Liquor Monopoly. Their consciences tell them to devote themselves to harrying, obstructing, and attacking the Trade in every possible way. •
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