EMPIRE DAY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3106, 9 June 1917, Page 8

EMPIRE DAY

Sir,—Last Sunday, the 3rd instant, was the day set apart as the occasion upon which all classes of the community were to be afforded an opportunity of demonstrating their loyalty to the Crown and to the.Empire. Tho two principal speakers in Wellington on the subject of Empire citizenship and its responsibilities and privileges made statements calculated to give the impression that there is one trade, and one trade only—in New Zealand that is preventing our country from playing its full part in the effort to win the war. In the words of the Rev. Archibald Hunt; the drink traffic is diverting tho use of shipping space and preventing tho importation of goods that might properly be termed the necessities of life.

As a citizen of New Zealand and of the Empire, may I ask that the general public be reminded of tho fact that it is not only tho user of alcohol who should bo persuaded into restricting his consumption. It is true that: Sinco the year beforo tho war, the importation into New Zealand of spirits has increased by 71 per cent, (and which is largely duo to dealers in the same having obtained big advance slocks in anticipation of difficulties of shipping, etc.). Wines in the same period have increased by 101 pet' cent. And beer, ales, etc., have only decreased by nearly 23 per cent. On tho other hand—

The importations into New Zealand of lobacco itiiring the period mentioned above have increased by over 53 per cent.

In silks, tho increase has been over 200' per cent. And in confectionery (exclusive of chocolate) importations show an increase of over 317 per cent. It is onlv fair, therefore, that the Lev. Mr. Hunt" and other speakers who do their best to guido public opinion and public action in the interests of our country and Empire, should be asked cm future' Empire Days, publicly to exhort users of tobacco, silks, and ennlectioncry, to restrict their consumption of such commodities, so that what shipping space i* available might bo reserved strictly .nv such articles as are vitally necessary to the carrying-out of New /calami s war policy.—t am. olc. ' ''■>'•