THE DRINK TRAFFIC

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3195, 20 September 1917, Page 6

THE DRINK TRAFFIC

Sir,—l do not intend to take up muob. of your valuable space, but would like to. point out why the licensed bars should close at 6 p.m. We have in New Zealand the Shops and Offices. Act, which closes most trades at specified hows. Butchers sell meat for the body shut at 5 p.m.; grocers, ditto, shut at 6 p.m.; drapers and clothiers, who cover the body, i> p.m.; booksellers, who 6upply reading and educational matter for the mind, 6 p.m.; but tho liquor trade, which Btrips mind, body, and soul, gets seven hours a day extra than the above trades, to do its ill work. .Is alcoholic liquornecessary for any man at 6 a.m. in the morning? This stupefying business' 6hould not commence its business anyearlier than 9 a.m. nor continue later than 6 p.m. Other respectable, sober trades can do their business with restricted hours, so should the liquor trade. I hope and trust that when the Liquor Bill comes on in the House that these hours will be decided upon, but I am like Aultl Scotty, I hae my doots; and vested interests will see the present hours are maintained in spite of the- people's wishes. The Prime Minister said h& would leave the Bill for the House Indeal with, and I believe him because he knows full well that when they nave pulled it to pieces there will be nothing left, and he and his friends will laugh up their sleeves. The present Parliament is not fit to deal with this question, so send it on to ttio people, and I think they will keep President Wilson's straightforward action in front of them aa regards this traffic in this terrible time we are passing through.—l am, etc., CAMROCK.