“WET” CANTEENS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 November 1939, Page 8

“WET” CANTEENS

R.S.A. RESENTS STATEMENT. [PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION.] INVERCARGILL, November 20. Exception to a statement by Rev. C. J. Tocker, in a discussion on “wet” canteens, at the Presbyterian general Assembly in Christchurch to-day, was taken by the Invercai'gill Returned Soldiers’ Association, which passed a resolution to-night: “That grave exception be taken to the statement made by Mr. Tocker, of Invercargill, in which he stated, that, the attitude of the Returned Sbldiers’ Association.seemed to represent propaganda; of the liquor trade and not the considered opinion of the association. “It. is pointed out that Mr. Tocker ts hot a returned soldier; and as. far as is known had shown no intelligent interest in the problems confronting soldiers in general. The decision to support “wef’canteens. was arrived at by men who had had experience in camps and on active service of all conditions under which a soldier hah to live, and we fail to see the qualifications of Mr. Tocker to criticise the general opinion of the Returned Soldiets’ Association on this subject. OPENED AT PAPAKURA AUCKLAND, November 20. Soldiers in camp at Papakura were given their “wet” canteen this afternoon immediately after an inspection by the chief of the general staff (Major-General J. E. Duigan). Those at Ngaruawahia will have their’s next Monday. General enthusiasm marked the opening of the canteen; but it was noticeable that few of the men who went inside stayed for long, or spent more than a very modest sum, most of them being quite content to have a drink and return to their quarters. BEER GARDEN PLANNED NOVELTY FOR BURNHAM CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 20. A novelty in the surroundings in which they will drink their beer will be provided for the soldiers at the Burnham military camp. A beer garden, where the men can drink at their leisure under trees and big umbrellas, has been planned. In contrast to the 12oz glasses served in public bars in the city, the 6d measure to be sold the men will contain 14oz„ and they will receive 7 oz. for 3d. An old house on the sections at the back of the District Military School is being remodelled as a wet canteen, in which beer, ice-creams, soft drinks, and milk shakes will be sold. The interior accommodation for drinking is likely to be very limited, and the idea of converting the garden was hit upon. So that the soldiers will be encouraged to drink leisurely and moderately, attractions of an al fresco drinking garden are being arranged. Tables are to. be placed under the trees and, in the open, under umbrellas, and from the opening day—yet to be fixed—invitations will be given to patrons to purchase their beer and move out into the open air. The bar, on to which hot and cold water is being laid, will be opened nightly between 6 and 9 o’clock. The profits from the canteen are to be set aside for the use of the units.

ALLEGATION REFUTED Commenting on the dry canteens already established in the principal military camps,,, the Minister for Defence (Mr. Jones), who to-day approved of the lay-out for the wet canteen at Burnham, said reference had been made on several occasions to the association, of Woolworths (N.Z.), Ltd., with their operation. The service given by the company, he stressed, was absolutely free, and without cost to the Government. “Statements have been made implying that Woolworths were in some way profiting from the operations of these canteens. Nothing can be further from the truth,” saidWr. Jones, “and I would now like to make the position quite clear. In the establishment of the canteens, the Director of Internal Marketing, who was responsible for initiating the, scheme, received an offer of assistance from Woolworths, who voluntarily placed at the disposal of the Government their complete and comprehensive organisation. In addition, they undertook to loan to the Internal Marketing Division such senior executives of their organisation as were necessary for establishing the canteens throughout the Dominion.” In availing itself of this offer, the Internal Marketing Division felt that it wouljd be advantageous to train the canteen managers and staff which were appointed and under the control of the division under competent executives provided by the organisation. Their experience in chain store organisation had proved invaluable. “I therefore feel it incumbent on me to make this statement,” said Mr. Jones, “because the Government greatly appreciates the service given by Woolworths (N.Z.), Ltd.” CANTEEN PRICES A recommendation that goods sold at canteens in military camps should be sold as cheaply as possible, is to be made to the authorities by the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association in terms of a resolution adopted by the executive to-night. Mr. A. E. Haines said that he recently visited the canteen at Burnham camp and priced many of the goods offered. Prices compared favourably with those of the shops in town, but were not lower. “I feel myself that there is not the need to make a profit,” said Mr. Haines. The profits, he added, were to be used for the benefit of the men, but the men paying the profits might not benefit. It would therefore be fairer to give the men the benefit of cheap prices now. Wages and other overhead were to be paid from the profits of the canteen, and not by the military authonties, said Mr. E. F. Willcox. Mr. J. S. Chisholm said that many of the men were advocating the sale of beer and tobacco free of dtity, but that was dangerous because it allowed abuses to creep in. “But I agree that no undue profit should be made,” he said.