BEER RECORD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 6

BEER RECORD.

CONSUMPTION IN N.S.W VICTUALLERS' ATTITUDE. TEMPERAWCE OPPOSITION. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, February 2. The fact that last year Xew South Wales consumed 33.854,730 gallons of beer—a record—has been very differently hailed by the hotelkeepers on one hand and temperance interests on the other. The president o T the U.L.V.A., Mr. N. H. Connolly, interpreted it a* public appreciation of building improvements effected at most hotels, and also as "definite evidence that the people are not becoming a race of milk bar addicts." He said that it also proved that the arguments of the temperance organisations that early closing would restrict drinking were all moonehine. The president of the W.C.T.U., Mrs. C. B. Segetin, on the other hand, said this record beer drinking was a challenge to all temperance workers, not excluding some of the churches which sshawed a lack of vigour in fighting the drink traffic. "I blame the increased drinking in part to the cocktail habit," ehe eakl. '"It is such a pity, especially when there are eo many nice fruit drinks available. I think the churches should dd more to educate the young against the evils of alcohol.

"Some of them, -while not actually apathetic, seem to regard the question as an aekle instead of what it is—a matter of vital importance to the community. We ehall combat by every meane in our power any move to extend drinking hours by the granting of lounge licenses."