LIQUOR TRAFFIC

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 42, 19 February 1942, Page 8

LIQUOR TRAFFIC

PUBLIC INQUIRY SOUGHT

GOVERNMENT CRITICISED

Dissatisfaction with the Government's handling of the liquor question in New Zealand was expressed at a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Alliance. The general superintendent, Mr. H. W. Milner, has sent a telegram to the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) asking for "a comprehensive, untrammelled public inquiry" into the whole position.

The text of the telegram as follows: —

All representations to you and admissions by you disclosed widespread licensed trade lawbreaking requiring urgent effective enforcement facilitating regulations stop Action limited to the comparatively few unlicensed slygroggers very, disappointing are promised regulations covering loopholes permitting licensee lawlessness forthcoming? Government is breaking 1940 pledge no wet , canteens Territorial camps, and , promised' reduced alcoholic content and other control measures Minister's letters unsatisfactory many Army officers encourage Territorials junior drinking Stop Wet canteens have not stopped city1 drunkenness train drinking or slygrog prostitution "joints" as predicted millions of bottles beer exported understand patriotic parcels contained beer but no provision fruit juices for abstainers instances reported where j only drink of any sort available in many days was beer Stop Present liquor activities in national life very unsatisfactory and inimical to country's wellbeing respectfully request comprehensive untrammelled public inquiry into entire liquor question. Today Mr. Fraser received another telegram.from Mr. Milner as follows:— "Please accept alteration words yesterday's telegram 'Understand patriotic parcels contained beer' to 'Understand beer was issued with patriotic parcels.' " PRIME MINISTER'S REPLY. Mr. Fraser has replied as follows: — Please accept my thanks for your courteous telegram of February ; eighteenth Stop I have also to acknowledge your further telegram received today containing a correction of one of the misstatements in yesterday's telegram That has been duly noted Stop The questions you raise in regard to our Forces will receive the careful consideration of the War Cabinet and the War Council j as well as of the general Government in spite of your exceptionally peculiar method of advocacy.