WET CANTEENS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23800, 20 November 1942, Page 6

WET CANTEENS

“BREACH OF FAITH WITH MAORIS” PROTEST BY METHODISTS Strong disapproval was expressed at yesterday’s session of the North Canterbury District Methodist Synod in Christchurch, when it was informed by the Rev. Raymond Dudley that he understood the Government had opened a wet canteen at a North Island military camp, and that the extension of wet canteens to territorial camps was also under consideration. As that camp was situated in the King Country this was considered a breach of faith with the Maoris in that area. A letter was read by Mr Dudley from the New Zealand Alliance in Wellington, which stated that the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon, P. Fraser) had indicated the Government’s decision. The extension of wet canteens to territorial camps meant, it was stated, that lads of 18 and upwards would be subjected to the temptation of liquor. "This is a matter upon which Synod should express its mind,” said Mr Dudley. “Is there a hidden hand that is forcing the Government to act so surprisingly and so inconsistently with regard to the liquor question in this country?” While it was becoming increasingly difficult to get New Zealanders to subscribe to Liberty Loans, he continued, an increasing sum was being spent on drink. “The increase is alarming,” he added. "I venture to say that never before has such a vast sum—it is now in the vicinity of £3o,ooo,ooo—been expended on drink as has been the case since the outbreak of this war. Breaches of the Licensing Act are also increasing. The time has come for our Government to stop this sort of thing.” The Rev. E. Drake: Is not this camp in the King Country? “Yes,” replied the chairman (the Rev. J. H. Allen). "Is not the Government breaking the agreement that it has had for years with the Maoris there?" The Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt declared that he was not attacking the intention of the Government on the grounds of “wowserism,” but because of the sound scientific knowledge that the church possessed of the effects of alcohol on mind and body. "The Government, if this is correct, is flagrantly breaking a solemn undertaking with the King Country Maoris,” he said. “We must insist that the Government shall honourably adhere to this solemn undertaking entered into with the native race many years ago,” It having been reported that the Government was considering the institution of wet canteens in all encampments throughout the Dominion, the Synod demanded, on the motion of Mr Dudley, that the previous satisfactory attitude to requests that such canteens would not be established in territorial camps (including women's camps) should be adhered to. It was also demanded that wet canteens in camps where territorials are in training should be prohibited. The Synod also protested against the setting up of a wet canteen at a camp situated in the King Country, and where, in addition to others, young territorials were in training.