Thoughtful Moments

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 50, 8 May 1942, Page 2

Thoughtful Moments

RESTRICTIONS ON DRINKING Public attention is being again di~ iccled to the problems created by indulgence in intoxicating liquor both in New Zealand and in Australia. In New Zealand the attention of the Government has been drawn Lo serious abuses, and this has been met by the complacent utterance of a high police official that all is well and tha.r the problem has been overstated. This must surely be a perfect example of the practice known as "turning the blind eye." The evidence of the existence of a serious problem is plain enough to be seen by the most casual' observer. There is without any question a grave social problem to be faced, and if the law as it now exists is not enough to solve it, the law should be altered. But the breaking of the law is too evident to be passed over lightly. An experiment has been started in Auckland, where leading traders in the sale of intoxicating liquor have been persuaded to co-operate with Christian people and social workers to step some of the outstanding abuses. The most notable of these is the decision to place restrictions upon what is known as women's bars and in hotel lounges. Lt has been agreed that in future no wean en or girls are to be served in these after five o'clock. We can welcome this as a step in the right direction. But there are many other abuses which should also be stopped, notably after hour trading, and sty grog shops. The law on theso points is strict enough, but there is evident laxit3' in the administration of the law. The Australian Government is rer P'/tcd as making some strict enquiries into the problem as it exists in that country. So close is their problem to ours and so different the Government reaction that it is worth while reproducing the press jnessage l'rom Sydney, dated March 16:

"The Australian Federal Government is conducting a carefully-plan-ned campaign against intoxicating liquor, and restrictions on drinking are expected to be introduced in .the near future. "In Melbourne at the week-end, the Prime Minister (Mr J. Curtin) and some of his Ministers professed to be 'shocked' at the extent of hotel lounge drinking and drunkenness in the city. A police report was called for. The Sydney Daily Telegraph said Mr Curtin would go on being shocked if he was content to call for reports. 'There's a simple way out,' said the article. 'Cabinet has power to cut d,cwn drinking by staggering hotel hours. The vast majority of Australians would accept such an order uncomplainingly. The Gov-

OUR SUNDAY MESSAGE (Supplied by ihe Whakatnna Mirast ers' Association).

ernment doesn't seem to understand this. Ministers with an open mandate l'rom the people to switch the whole country tc a 100 per cent war footing are still nervous about popular reaction to necessary war-time measures. What's the reason?' "Other newspapers are playing up the campaign, painting lurid pictures of young servicemen on leave being decoyed into filthy sly-grog dens in the underworld, young girls being introduced to hectic parties, rowdy night-club scenes. Un-named police officers are quoted demanding greater powers to kill the evil that has arisen.' The, results of this publicity? Powers to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages in Australia and to stamp out a!)uses of the liquor laws are taken in national security regulations which have been gazetted. Main provisions are: (1) The production and sale of beer and spirits to be reduced by one third. (2) The State Premiers have been given virtual control of the liquor industry in their States. (3) The police have been given powers to enter, by force if necessary, premises where it is believed that liquor is sold illegally. They also have the right to search persons on the premises. (4) A ban on liquor advertisements' applies to newspapers and periodicals and to signs and display advertising en vehicles, hoardings and buildings. (5) A reduction in the hours of sale. The same revelations have been made on many occasions in New Zealand, but those in authority seeni to suffer not only from the blind eye but also from the deaf ear. Perhaps public opinion is too complacent in this country. Whatever be the cause there is urgent need, for action, and it is to be hoped that it will come soon.

THE BREWERS SLOGAN "A million boys arc needed," Have you heard the brewers cry? Gan you see the fearful vision Of this Arrny passing by? A million young men give us Who have never tasted beer, For new customers are needed For our business every year. "A million boys are needed," 'Tis your son and mine they claim; But—our daughters: now they're asking, Not our sons alone! Oh, shame! Shame on Christian men and women. Who can fall to rise in might, And forever banish from us Every foe of Truth and Right.