Magistrate Says Liquor Laws Crazy

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 49, 27 February 1943, Page 5

Magistrate Says Liquor Laws Crazy

Ter Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 26.

“It may be that our liquor laws are crazy, but they have to be obeyed and enforced until the powers that be bring them into harmony with presentday conditions,” said the Magistrate (Mr. Luxford), an authority on the licensing laws, to-day, when sentencing a sly-grogger to three months’ imprisonment on one charge and fining him £SO on each of two others. Accused, William E. Ryan, was charged with selling liquor without a license on January 13, - having been previously convicted of a similar offence in October last, and also that, being the occupier of unlicensed premises, ho was a consenting party to the sale of liquor on January 22 and February 1. Ryan admitted the charges. Sub-Inspector Joyce said accused occupied a dwelling in Wellington Street. As the result of numerous complaints, the police kept a watch on the house from 7 p.m. to 9.45 p.m. on January 13, when they saw 57 taxis arrive—one every three minutes. “That’s quicker than one can obtain an ordinary taxi,” said the Magistrate, amid laughter. Tho Sub-Inspector said: “This place has been a perfect nuisance and Ryan has been openly flouting the law and selling liquor. It is one of the black spots in Auckland.” Ryan’s counsel (Mr. Hall Skelton) said accused was blamed for much he did not do, as there had been a lot of

“seagull” sly-groggers operating near his place. The “seagulls” would approach American sailors first as they came to Ryan’s place and would sell liquor for what they could get. Counsel described the liquor laws as somewhat archaic. After 6 o’clock there was nowhere men could go for a drink. “We have got to admit our liquor laws are crazy,” said the Magistrate. “This man, like a lot of others, has been exploiting the position and taking advantage of tho times. The effect on the morals of the community are devastating. The profits from slygrogging are so great that to imposo a fine in such cases would only amount to a small license fee. The penalties for this class of offence are totally inadequate and the sooner they are amended the better.” Reginald Joseph Parfltt, a young man who is serving a sentence of six months’ imprisonment, pleaded guilty before Mr. Luxford, to a charge of selling liquor without a license on January 30, having been three times previously convicted for a similar offence. Sub-Inspector Joyce said a constable in plain clothes visited Parfitt’s place in Shortland Street, and bought a bottle of whisky for which he paid £4 10s. On the Bame evening the nolice raided the premises and seized liquor. The Magistrate sentenced accused to six months’ imprisonment and directed that tho term commence as from to-day.