W.C.T.U. Opposes Liquor Sales Aboard Aramoana

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29956, 18 October 1962, Page 2

W.C.T.U. Opposes Liquor Sales Aboard Aramoana

Remits opposing the selling of liquor on the vehicular ferry Aramoana, Government publicity for the. Golden. Kiwi lottery, and the granting of restaurant liquor licences in nolicence areas and one urging more Government publicity about the detrimental effects of alcohol were passed without dissension on the second day of the Canterbury Women’s Christian Temperance Union’s annual convention in Christchurch yesterday!

A vote to the remit on the Aramoana said drinking was not allowed on any other Government facility. “Why should it be allowed on the ferry?” it asked. Very limited amounts of intoxicating liquor caused deterioration in driving ability and many felt the efforts of the Transport Department to curtail road accidents were being nullified by such a concession.

The convention commended the action of the Health Department in discouraging smoking, but "in view of the fact that the incidence of alcoholism is far greater than lung cancer, the Government should give similar widespread publicity to the detrimental effects of alcohol on the human body, and especially in the case of adolescents”. a remit said.

Discussing the donation of profits from the Golden Kiwi lottery to charitable institutions, two delegates quoted similar grants in Australia and said this was the only way in which some institutions were able to give high standards of community service.

Some delegates questioned whether Christian organisations were right to refuse money "which is given in this spirit," particularly as it would otherwise be used only to propagate more evil. Another delegate suggested that the profit-sharing system was not to be deplored as many persons who would otherwise never give money to the needy were unwittingly making contributions. “Perhaps it is one way of making them give,” she said. It was pointed out that even though buyers of tickets were indirectly aiding charity, their primary purpose was rarely anything other than "getting something for nothing." Another delegate said she considered that giving substantial proceeds to numbers of sports bodies, the Golden Kiwi organisers were actually throwing out bait for more

young persons to support the lottery. This was a bad principle, she said. Other items on the agenda included a report by Mrs L. K. Grigg, director of the legal and parliamentary department of the New Zealand Women’s Christian Temperance Union on the provisions of the Sale of Liquor Bill passed this year and some of the amendments proposed by the Statutes’ Revision Committee.

Delegates expressed concern over the sale of confectionery containing proof spirit This could have some adverse effects in introducing young persons to a taste for alcohol. Provisions of the bill relating to liquor sales to minors, and the recent introduction of barmaids in New Zealand hotels were also criticised. The provision of liquor facilities in restaurants at race meetings in no-licence areas was also criticised. As it was against the expressed wish of the majority of electors, this action was quite undemocratic, delegates said. An address on the work of the South Island Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Association was given by Captain M. Hart. A communion service in the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church was led by the Rev. A. Macleod. The next convention will be held in 1963 in Waimate. Officers elected were:—

North Canterbury branch: President. Mrs M. Griffiths; vice-presidents, Mrs L. R. Pugh; secretary, Mrs J. Stokes: treasurer, Mrs H. A.

Neville; South Canterbury branch: President, Mrs S. Smith; vice-presidents, Mesdames L. Mcllroy, H. W. Wood and W. Dickett; secretary, Mrs A. M. Dellow; trea-