WET CANTEENS

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23881, 25 February 1943, Page 6

WET CANTEENS

CONFERENCE DISCUSSION

METHODISTS MAY RECONSIDER ATTITUDE During a general discussion on the liquor question yesterday the Methodist Conference in Christchurch had the following recommendation under consideration: ‘‘That this conference protests most vigorously to the Government against the opening of wet canteens in military and Air Force encampments, where many of the men and women are under 21 years of age.” It was introduced by the Rev. R. Dudley, of Christchurch. It was decided that it should be referred to the central committee on public questions in Wellington for consideration.

Some members expressed the view that, in view of reports from military chaplains and others the Church might have to reconsider its attitude towards wet canteens in camps, however repugnant might be that course. The Rev. A. R. Witheford, an Army chaplain, declared that he had been informed by officers that they had seen nothing untoward as the result of establishing wet canteens. On the other hand, they said, when men had to go out of camp to secure liquor they had, on returning to camp, created considerable trouble. The difficulty was. said a former president (the Rev. W. A. Burley), that many young men were now learning to drink in the camps. Wet canteens, he said, were definitely a danger to boys. (Hear, hear.) The public questions committee urged that representations be made to the Minister of Education and that deputations wait on education boards with a view to securing the implementation of temperance teaching already provided for in the curriculum of the primary schools, also that representations be made to the Minister of Health to secure wider publication of authoritative facts regarding the effect of alcohol on health. The Government was commended for having passed the Licensing Emergency Regulations, which restricted the advertising and sales of intoxicating liquors and eliminated “the vulgar habit” of drinking on trains and other public conveyances, but much more drastic action, the report said, was necessary to check the activities of the liquor traffic “if the present rapid decline in public morals is to be arrested.” The debate on public questions, including that of liquor, was adjourned because of pressure on time.