DRASTIC MEASURES URGED

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 68, 18 September 1917, Page 7

DRASTIC MEASURES URGED

BY MEETINGS IN VARIOUS CENTRES. (BY TELEBBAPH* —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

HAWERA, 17th September

The Rev. Mr. Blamires, secretary of the New Zealand Methodist Social Service Union, in a letter to the Minister of Finance conveying the congratulations of the union at the success of the Waa' Loan, expresses regret that the. Government has taken no steps to eliminate the drink evil. Then the following passages occur :—" Few serious attempts are ever made to contravene the truism that the liquor trade is the greatest source of inefficiency and v Wastefulness in our nation. The public must be assured by the Government of the; Urgent need for practising strict economy. We believe that consistency would direct the Government tc- support its own appeal by firm, and drastic measures, by an heroic course with a view to the immediate ending of the squandering of man and money power that is now visible as a direct outcome of the liquor trade. Hence we are disappointed beyond measure at the trivial means just suggested by the Government to deal with the problem. It appears to us—we say it with all courtesy, yet with frankness —the height of inconsistency to preach economy and not practise it." '

AUCKLAND, 17th September. A crowded meeting in the lown Hall, over 3000 people, being present, carried a resolution expressing strong protest against the Government's attempt to thwart the will of the people by proposing to close hotels at 8 o'clock, when the known „ and expressed will of the electors is that bars should be closed at 6 o'clock during and until six months after the war. The meeting also carried a-motion emphatically urging the Government, in the event of its refusal to provide for 6 o'clock closing, to forthwith introduce legislation to enable, the usual triennial poll • of the people, due this year, upon the Prohibition issue to be taken, in terms of the recommendation of the Efficiency Board. A motion on.behalf of Labour, that ah election should .'be held at the end of the present year, was disallowed on the voices. ■ • j DUNEDIN, 17th September. A meeting organised by business men was held to-night) when a motion was carried protesting emphatically against the failure of the Government to provide as a war measure for the closing of hotel bars* at 6 p.m., and calling on Parliament to give effect to the widelyexpressed will ;of a great majority' of the people in this respect. There was a fairly good attendance, and several speeches were made in favour of 6 o'clock closing. INVERCARGILL, 17th Sept.. The Invercargill Reform Council, representing the largest electorate in the Dominion Under No-License, resolved! "Because of the experience of partial Prohibition during the past twelve months, the Inyercargill Reform Council earnestly urges Parliament-'-to, v,tjte 6 o'clock . closing. The council recognises this is ohly a partial . remedy for the crying evils 'of the drink traffic, bat it is the only remedy at present available; and is aiititled to the support of all statesme*who have the true interests of the Dominion at heaVt."