The Liquor Traffic

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 272, 12 August 1932, Page 13

The Liquor Traffic

Sir. —The general secretary of the New Zealand Alliance in one of his letters on the above subject asks, “Does anyone suggest that things would be better if we abolished six o’clock closing?” I for one suggest that six o’clock closing has taught men to gulp their drinks, and that the English system of closing the bars for certain hours during the day. and opening them in the evening, is preferable. Six o’clock closing and Sunday closing is merely a concession to prohibitionists, and does not help to solve the problem of drunkenness. I submit, sir, that our inane liquor legislation tends to convert hotels from boarding-houses where drink can be obtained to drinking houses where board can be obtained. This state of affairs is bound to exist so long as the law strives to compel all but boarders to avoid licensed hotels like the plague, exeent during those hours or days when the Sale of alcoholic liquor is permitted. In the same letter to which I have referred your correspondent draws a parallel between the abolition of slavery and prohibition. Slavery is a form of cruelty which advancing civilisation was bound to condemn sooner or later. If the total abolition of alcoholic liquor is right in principle, so also is the abolition of tea, tobacco, and everything inimical to or not absolutely necessary to perfect health. —I am, etc.. NOTHING IN EXCESS. Canterbury, August 10.