SOBER PEOPLE

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21807, 12 June 1936, Page 10

SOBER PEOPLE

LIQUOR SOLD WITHOUT RESTRICTION N.Z. OBSERVER IN SOUTH AMERICA Remarkable freedom in the sale of liquor, and at the same time a remarkable sobriety among the people, were noticed in the South American countries by Mr A. S. Nicholls, who returned to Christchurch yesterday after a 15 weeks’ trip to South America. “Although the United States went dry,” he said, “there was never any chance of the same state of affairs coming about in South America. “Liquor is bought at any place, at any time, and in any manner. Apparently no licenses are required—the shops and stores all sell bottled liquors. Everything that is imported is expensive, especially in Chile and Peru. Consequently spirits are very dear. On the train to Santiago beer could be purchased at a peso a bottle and was brought round the carriage for this. We paid seven pesos for a dinner on the train, but a whisky alone cost 12 pesos. Taking the peso at twopence, beer was cheap, but a whisky cost 2s. “In Montevideo we visited a beer garden,” said Mr Nicholls. “It was built on the premises of. a brewery and had accommodation for 6000 guests. Here one could purchase a large mug of beer for 2£d, and at night the place was thronged. Regard for Appearances “Although alcohol is sold so freely, and the wine and beer manufactured locally is so cheap, I saw only one drunken man in the whole of my travels. This speaks volumes for the sobriety of a populace where drink can be obtained so easily. It may be that the price of spirits has something to do with it. “As soon as I landed in Montevideo I was struck by the fact that the people generally were well dressed,” continued Mr Nicholls. “In Buenos Aires—which might be considered the swell city of South America outside Rio de Janeiro—it was very noticeable. The men were immaculately dressed and their hair well coiffured. It is said that some of the men even have their hair waved. “If the men are so careful about their appearance the women are even more so, necessarily. They not only know good clothes but also know how to wear them. Their faces and hands are kept in good condition. Such cosmetics as are used are evidently good and are never applied except in the most artistic fashion. All through South America one noticed the same careful regard for appearances. The contrast was most marked when we boarded the Ruahine for New Zealand.”